On Monday afternoon, the government announced that starting next month, Wednesday and Saturday will be car-free days in the Nairobi CBD once BRT buses arrive.
This declaration by Transport CS James Macharia caused a stir on social media as different Kenyans aired their opinions on the matter.
Here is what some Kenyans had to say.
So basically, what the Transport CS James Macharia announced to Kenyans is that Nairobi CBD will be a market on Wednesdays & Saturdays.
Hehehe! Vision 20Backwards!
— Wambui (@Waambui) January 28, 2019
https://twitter.com/Mukami_Mungai/status/1089940260694437888
We needed a CS in Transport who will work for us not one who will make us Walk. This Nairobi CBD move will allow serious Pick Pocketers masquerading as Hawkers to come into the CBD. This isn't exactly what I expect of a Country which has a Vision 2030.
— Dhahabu Kenya (@dhahabumedia) January 28, 2019
Why is the transport CS insisting on worsening the public transport mess?
— 𝕄𝕥𝕒𝕒~𝕃𝕒𝕞𝕦 (@cheniyabaiskili) January 28, 2019
Hope President and Deputy will be walking as well as his cabinent
— Ole Naipota (@Ole_Naipota) January 28, 2019
A dedicated bus lane is not BRT and cannot be marked as such! The bus lane(s) should be accompanied with busways and iconic stations typically aligned to the center of the road, off-board fare collection, and fast and frequent operations. look at BRT in TZ. pic.twitter.com/ikhs0OTITx
— Eric Mosoti (@mosotih) January 28, 2019
Can we have..pothole free days..or streetlights working day, or bump ahead signage day @Ma3Route
— King of the Kong (@KingMukora) January 28, 2019
https://twitter.com/Sir_Rawlings/status/1089850657450979333
64 BRT too few for Nairobi. Allow local companies to import another 500 BRTs and have some charge premium price for comfortable and spacious seats, and pay by card. Many people willing to leave their cars for speed and comfort to and from town.
— Bernard Koech (@KoechBernard) January 28, 2019
Am not a pessimist… But such a move without proper structures in place is bound to fail in spectacular fashion…
— Mkenya Mzalendo (@Kenboychild) January 28, 2019
Is it a proposal or a directive how is it a proposal yet it's taking effect 1st Feb. pic.twitter.com/ADhF0WOJDK
— Eric Mosoti (@mosotih) January 28, 2019
Can we first get BRT to work? At least we learn where he stages are
— Mohamed Maalim (@maxmatm) January 28, 2019
So the two days will be a market in CBD….this is sick😡
— Peter Él Dé Wach (@de_wach) January 28, 2019
Woooh….. hujafa hujaumbika…. yani i just kent… But Kenya sihami… this too shall pass
— Murugi wa Njagi🇰🇪 (@NKaraga) January 28, 2019
https://twitter.com/Ben_Ngimor/status/1089849560271331328
https://twitter.com/_tabbz/status/1089838119560581120
Macharia atuachishe ujinga. So, after the long silence, this is what he has been thinking? Super Minister Matiangi, veto that move asap.
— Sir. JohnⓂ️ (@MKJohn254) January 28, 2019
https://twitter.com/collo_2re/status/1089937474078543877
Nonsense…
— Arap.nyambega (@rijini) January 28, 2019
The best public transport solution for Nairobi is an underground subway system stretching from Kitengela to Kikuyu; from Ngong to Juja; from Kiambu to Ruai. The money stolen in this country since 2003 would be enough to build a proper metro system.
— Denis Gathanju (@DenisGathanju) January 28, 2019
If we can get Nairobi's Non-Motorised Transport (NMT) policy implemented by Feb 1st, then the 2-days car-free policy can be tested in Nairobi CBD.
Otherwise, CHAOS!!!@NairobiChamber @Kara_Kenya1
— K A R I Z 🇦🇺🇰🇪 (@Kariuki_Waweru) January 28, 2019
This knee-jerk,disjointed reactions to the serious congestion issue is tragic..lets hv a comprehensive, well-thought out, multi-option consultatv strategy to unlock our perennial traffic gridlock
— Kimtu Kieusi (@NickMaina) January 28, 2019
