Race Course Road: Nairobi residents walking to work this morning as the 'No matatus in Nairobi CBD' ban takes effect #DayBreak pic.twitter.com/6FmlyVxFYY
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) December 3, 2018
If Governor Mike Sonko and his administration’s plan was to frustrate the people of Nairobi, then they have succeeded in their mission.
This Monday morning as Nairobi residents made their way to their places of significant engagement, they had to walk for miles before they could get to their destination following the ban issued by the county government that prohibits public service vehicles from entering the central business district.
From the look of things and reactions on social media, one thing is certain, people will be tired by the time they get to their offices or schools.
Here’s what a lot of Kenyans had to say about the Matatu CBD ban:
The #MatatuCBDBan is a retrogressive move by the county government of Nairobi. We urge @MikeSonko the governor to only embark on progressive ways in order to ease congestion from psvs in Nairobi cbd. Also embrace the provision of public participation in the county government act
— GABRIEL W MAUNDA (@GabrielMaunda) December 3, 2018
Due to this #MatatuCBDBan from accessing the Nairobi CBD I may not manage to carry luggage from CBD to fig tree, I'd rather buy them there. What does that mean? Businesses will close down. Businesses will shift from Nairobi CBD.
What brains are you using here?— Dre Kariuki (@DreKariuki) December 3, 2018
"Nairobi CBD" The walking City. #MatatuCBDBan Can't seem to understand what is to be achieved by this. I don't think you can fill one hole by digging another.
— The Emperor (@Willly_De) December 3, 2018
It's a noble idea. But the timing, and planning is totally wrong. CALL IT OFF!!!!!
*Nairobi County* *Nairobi CBD* #BusinessCommunitySpeaks #MatatuCBDBan— Mav Mérchant (@Kenreezym) December 3, 2018
" If you thought Slavery ended with the white Man then think again, just the way you couldn't enter some restricted areas if black back then is the same way you can't enter the NAIROBI CBD if you don't own a car. Modern Day Slavery. "#MatatuCBDBan pic.twitter.com/79XjbZDTUF
— McMende (@mcmende_michael) December 3, 2018
At minute 2:00 , the disabled lady on crutches who has to walk a really long way should be highlighted. What's manifesting itself with the ban of matatus into Nairobi CBD is the high levels of inequality in Nairobi. What about persons living with disabilities?
— Justus (@mtazamaji_) December 3, 2018
All Nairobi CBD workers are entitled to a monthly hardship allowance. This place is worse than isiolo #MatatuCBDBan
— Njeri. (@KoeyNjeri) December 3, 2018
https://twitter.com/GitzHQ/status/1069466827439464450
When Governor Mike Sonko took office in August last year, he said that Nairobi would never be the same again. Could this have been what he meant?
Nairobi will never be the same again from today. I shall work round the clock to guarantee efficient & timely services for all our residents pic.twitter.com/xPCeARkYLa
— Mike Sonko (@MikeSonko) August 21, 2017
“Nairobi will never be the same again from today. I shall work round the clock to guarantee efficient & timely services for all our residents,” said Sonko when he took office last year.
The county government needs to understand this, Nairobians are not opposing the ban of matatus into the CBD, if anything we all agree with the Governor that the CBD needs to be congested. However, the timing and the methods used in this ban are what most residents of the city are questioning.
You don’t wake up one day and decide to shut down all other bus terminus and come up with new ones without critically thinking about the repercussions.
So what happens to the elderly and disabled or that person using crutches? Will they be able to walk such long distances? What happens to those who work very late? Can you imagine walking through globe at 10 pm?
So what happens to the elderly and disabled or that person using crutches? Will they be able to walk such long distances? What happens to those who work very late? Can you imagine walking through globe at 10 pm?
The county government really needs to consider a lot of things before deciding to have the ban take effect so soon. Perhaps provide a better railway system or roll out the planned Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in Nairobi. That way, with such efficient and reliable services, residents of the Capital city will not have anything to complain about.
What other alternatives do you think the county government should give Nairobi residents to ease their commute yet still decongest the city center?