On Wednesday the Transport CS James Macharia banned commercial vehicles with over seven passengers (effectively all matatus) from using the Expressway. This is a bad and pointless decision.
There have been three accidents since the Expressway opened on May 14. Two were inside the Expressway, one involved a car and one a matatu. An accident yesterday outside the Expressway at the Westlands entrance involved a matatu.
The government is discriminating against matatus and buses since cars have also caused accidents.
Moreover matatu passengers are also taxpayers. Why should they be denied the benefit of the expensive Sh85 billion Expressway? If necessary, matatus can pay a higher toll based on size to use the Expressway.
The Expressway was also designed to decongest the City Centre. Why are we stopping long-distance matatus and buses from exiting Nairobi using the Expressway?
If the problem is bad driving, by both cars and matatus, the 110 kph speed limit and rumble strips at the Expressway exits should be more than enough to fix the problem.
Government said the Expressway matatu ban is 'temporary'. It should be cancelled immediately so that matatu passengers can again save time on the Expressway.
Quote of the day: "I am not afraid of the darkness. Real death is preferable to a life without living."
Vasco da Gama
He set sail on the first direct European voyage to India on July 8, 1497
