Gov’t now bans matatus from the Nairobi Expressway

The Ministry of Transport has temporarily restricted commercial passenger vehicles or matatus from using the Nairobi Expressway.

This follows what the Ministry terms as isolated safety incidents and road crashes witnessed on the expressway.

“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," Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia said in a statement released on Wednesday.

"They have necessitated an investigation into the cause of these accidents and incidents, so that appropriate safety interventions can be developed and ensure that commercial passenger vehicles use the expressway safely.”

Other measures taken to enhance safety on the expressway include the installation of rumble strips to warn drivers to slowdown as they approach various toll gates.

Further, the Ministry says speed limits will be enforced with speed cameras being installed on the expressway to enhance adherence to the speed limits.

The Ministry also says traffic police will now be stationed at various locations along the expressway including toll stations.

On Monday this week, an estimated 20 people were injured as a PSV mini-bus crashed into the Mlolongo toll station on the Expressway, whilst hitting other vehicles at the exit point.

This was the second accident at the toll station in just over one week since private motorists crashed into the Mlolongo toll plaza.

One person died while an unknown number of persons were injured in the June 25 incident.