Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has suspended a directive banning matatus from accessing the Central Business District (CBD).
In a statement, Sonko observed that he saw the plight of Nairobi residents and suspended the directive to allow for further consultation.
Sonko further noted that the one-day ban made it clear to him that adequate preparation needs to be done to implement such directives.
"Although the directive is well-intentioned, many innocent commuters, including senior citizens and those with health challenges requiring emergency medical attention, expectant mothers and children travelling with their parents, all suffered untold inconvenience, and this is regrettable. It also became clear that it is necessary to have contingent measures before enforcement of such key decisions," the governor's statement read in part which he posted on his Facebook page.
He vowed to work with stakeholders in the sector to arrive at an amicable solution that will help resolve the issue of traffic jams.
"I wish to reassure all commuters of the best interests of my County Government to promote the best, most sustainable and most economical means of transport into, and out of Nairobi. Chocking traffic gridlocks have negatively affected all businesses in the county," he stated.
Regarding proposed solutions to decongest the city, the governor encouraged neighbours to carpool in order to reduce pollution, and the number of vehicles getting into the city.
"Those among us who are neighbours should consider car-pooling. Let us make public transport appealing to the point where we no longer shun it in the name of “class”.Let us mind the environment too, to eliminate the rising number of polluting private cars," he posted.
On Monday, residents were forced to walk long distances to connect between the different termini in the city.
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