Some Mps in Kenya need professional education and advice before commenting on issues that affect Kenyans. Development of one county is different from another and what will work in Nairobi might not work in a village.
Although projected as another major transport crisis looming in Nairobi, the government on Monday announced that beginning February 1 this year, no vehicle will be allowed in the Nairobi Central Business District on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
While this goal may seem ambitious,Ainabkoi Constituency MP William Ck Chepkut has come out guns blazing to critic the idea as he claims the transport systems serving Nairobi CBD has no alternative means like other major cities around the world.
According to the MP , Car free days, are effected in cities that have subway/ metro lines/rail lines, bike lanes and bike parks, mass bus transport sytems and some have waterways serving the CBD something that many have disagreed on.
Car free days, are effected in cities that have subway/ metro lines/rail lines, bike lanes and bike parks, mass bus transport sytems and some have waterways serving the CBD…now look for these transport systems serving Nairobi CBD & tell me this is not a case of mad cow disease.
— Hon. William Chepkut (@W__Chepkut) January 28, 2019
For example , the government of Rwanda launched the Car-Free Day in 2016, saying the move was prompted by a need to encourage exercise and promote green transport, thereby reducing carbon emission by motor vehicles.
#Carfreeday is on! #Kigali #Rwanda pic.twitter.com/jjPwQihCFg
— City of Kigali (@CityofKigali) August 14, 2016
Following Rwanda’s success in introducing the Car-Free Day, other countries have also mulled taking up the idea, including Kenya.
Public Works Principal Secretary Paul Maringa said the two days have been designated as car-free days to allow the national government try out the much-hyped bus rapid transport (BRT) system.
Only individuals with bicycles, police vehicles and emergency cars will be allowed into the city centre on the two days.
Hawkers will, however, be allowed to take over the streets for the entire two days to sell their wares on the numerous parking lots in the city centre.
According to the PS, matatu operators will drop and pick passengers at the designated termini, while private car owners have been advised to leave their vehicles at home and use public transport on the two days.
The government says 64 high-capacity buses will be imported from South Africa for the BRT pilot programme.
The pilot phase will cover these four roads; Moi Avenue, Harambee Avenue, City Halll Way and Agha Khan Walk. There will, however, be designated parking spots at Uhuru Park and Railways during the two car free days.
The BRT system is one of the major moves the government is hoping will address the traffic menace in Nairobi by having a complete ban of cars in the CBD.
Urban planners and policy makers around the world have started to brainstorm ways that cities can create more space for pedestrians and lower CO2 emissions from diesel.
Is the Mp right to bring up such claims?