A directive by the Nairobi County Government banning matatus from accessing the Central Business District (CBD) has taken effect from today.
In a notice published in the local dailies on Thursday, the devolved unit noted that from today, no matatu will be allowed in the CBD, a move aimed at de-congesting the city.
Following the directive, most matatus on the road shied away from the CBD, forcing residents to walk long distances before getting to the city centre.
Residents using Jogoo Road were dropped at City Stadium after which they walked all the way to the CBD, Railways terminus, or Figtree terminus to catch their next ride.
Those from Thika Road, Limuru Road and Waiyaki Way were dropped at Ngara, then walked all the way to town.
Kencom, Ambassador, and all other areas in town where residents board their matatus from are clear with only private vehicles plying those streets.
All major city roads have a heavy police presence to ensure that the ban is successfully implemented.
On Sunday, Kikuyu Member of Parliament Kimani Ichungwah and his Starehe counterpart Charles Njagua cautioned that proper structures need t to be put in place before implementation of the directive starts.
At the moment, most of the proposed bus stops are not able to play host to the thousands of matatus expected to use them.
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