Transport and Infrastructure CS James Macharia has temporarily banned matatus on the Nairobi Expressway.
In a statement on Wednesday, Macharia said the government will Install rumble strips to curb accidents that have been witnessed on the roads.
“We temporarily restrict commercial passenger vehicles with a capacity of more than seven passengers from using the Nairobi expressway,” he said.
He said that since the Nairobi Expressway was opened to the public, a number of traffic accidents and incidents involving commercial passenger vehicles have occurred on the expressway.
“These have necessitated an investigation into the cause of these accidents and incidents, so that appropriate safety interventions can be developed to ensure that commercial passenger vehicles use the expressway safely,” said CS Macharia.
“The Ministry of Transport has, therefore, taken the decision to temporarily restrict commercial passenger vehicles with a capacity of more than seven (7) passengers from using the Nairobi Expressway, as we investigate the cause of these accidents and develop appropriate safety measures. Every life matters, and the Government is keen to avoid unnecessary injuries and loss of lives. This restriction takes effect immediately.”
He added that rumble strips will be installed to warn drivers to slow down as they approach the various toll gates.
Police officers will also enforce speed limits.
“The maximum speed limit on all public roads in Kenya is 1l0km/h. The Nairobi Expressway is clearly marked with the speed limits that are applicable to its various sections,” he said.
He said all motorists are required by law to adhere to the stipulated speed limits.
“In this regard, we have, in collaboration with the Inspector General of Police, installed speed cameras to enhance the enforcement of speed limits. Further, traffic police will henceforth be stationed at various locations along the expressway, including toll stations.”
He warned motorists saying that any person who contravenes or fails to comply with any of the provisions of Section 42 of the Traffic Act shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine of up to one hundred thousand shillings (Sh100,000) as per the provisions of the Traffic Act.
The move comes after the expressway has witnessed three accidents in as many weeks with one being fatal.
This comes a week after another accident occurred at the same station leaving one dead.
On Wednesday morning a matatu overturned at Nairobi’s Waiyaki Way at the entrance of the Nairobi Expressway in Westlands causing traffic snarl up that lasted for hours.
The Super Metro passenger bus overturned after it hit a guardrail while evading hitting another vehicle that was entering to using the expressway lane.
Several passengers were left with scores of injuries and rushed to the hospital.
The accident happens, barely two days after an Embasava Sacco bus was involved in another accident at Mlolongo toll station.
The Expressway which is currently on a trial run two weeks ago saw it claim its first casualty when a speeding motorist crashed through the barriers, hitting vehicles that had lined up at the toll station.
