The Nairobi Metropolitan Service (NMS) is determined to rid the capital city of congestion, or at least make traffic and pedestrian movement bearable.
The outfit headed by Major General Mohamed Badi has been working on multiple transformative projects across the city after apparent failure by successive County Governments to effectively address challenges facing residents of the capital. Anyone visiting the Central Business District (CBD) lately will notice wider streets with less traffic and paved pedestrian walkways.
The latest project is a move to keep out public transport vehicles (matatus) out of the city centre. NMS has been preparing termini targeting public transport vehicles accessing Nairobi from various parts of the city and country. At the Nairobi Railways Club, construction work is proceeding at an accelerated pace to complete the Greenpark terminus that is expected to serve as the final drop-off point for matatus plying Langata and Ngong Roads. At the same time, NMS is putting final touches on another terminus at the junction of Bunyala and Workshop Roads. This will serve matatus using Mombasa Road including those to South B, South C, Industrial Area, Imara Daima, Athi River, Kitengela and Machakos.
On the other side of the city, all public services vehicles that previously entered the city through Thika Highway including upcountry vehicles will be expected to terminate at the new Desai Road/Park Road terminus. Another bus stop is also under construction near Fig Tree to cater for vehicles from Westlands direction.
Mataus from Eastlands that usually use Jogoo, Lusaka and Landhies Roads will also have their dedicated terminus.
While NMS has received praise for these projects, a number of stakeholders are skeptical of some of them. Matatu operators have previously resisted any move to kick them out of the CBD and it is not clear if they will fall in line this time round.
