Matatus forced to pick passengers along Moi Avenue as CBD renovations continue

A section of a side-road running parallel to Moi Avenue, just near the Ambassador hotel, has recently been closed, ostensibly to pave way for re-carpeting or the stretch.

The small road, a renowned passenger point used by dozens of public service vehicles, has been soaking water during rains, thereby affecting movement of people and vehicles in the capital.

Matatus plying the Embakasi, Pipeline, Kawangware, Komarocks and Utawala have now been relocated, seemingly temporarily, to allow for the renovations.

The matatus now line up on the edges of Moi Avenue, facing the general direction of Railways, from where they collect and drop passengers.

"Matatus are an important part of Nairobi, and it would be wrong if they were to be moved permanently out of the CBD," he said.

According to residents who spoke to Wananchi Reporting, the on-going renovations and 'relocation' of the matatus to Moi Avenue has opened up the area around Ambassador Hotel, reducing the almighty congestion that has become associated with the spot.

“The area is more open now. I just wish the county government can make this permanent, so that vehicles can pick passengers where they currently do, along the Moi Avenue.

"It’s more orderly now, and people have enough space to walk,” said Timothy Kamau, a resident of Nairobi, and a frequent visitor to the Central Business District.

The stretch, currently under renovation, has in the past made headlines whenever it rains, with pedestrians often struggling to navigate the water-logged road.

According to Nairobi County Chief Officer, Works, Engineer Geoffrey Tirop, the facelift and renovation of pavements and NMT works was meant to cover Ronald Ngala, Tom Mboya and part of Odeon.

He noted thus: "The Nairobi City County Governments Works department has earmarked Moi Avenue, Harambee Avenue, Haille Sellassie, Tom Mboya (upper section), Kenyatta Avenue, City Hall Way, Mama Ngina Street, Muindi Mbingu, Standard Street and Wabera Street for renovation works,” Tirop told Wananchi Reporting.  

This comes at a time when Nairobi County has relocated hawkers in an attempt to open up the CBD and reduce congestion.

There is, however, silent complaints from members of the public that some hawkers are still sneaking back to sell their wares at certain ‘restricted’ areas.