Govt bans matatus from expressway, speed capped at 110kph
The car that was hit by an Embasava bus at the Mlolongo toll station along the Nairobi Expressway.
Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) have been temporarily banned from using the Nairobi expressway while traffic police officers will be stationed along the road to enhance safety.
Speed cameras will also be installed on the new road with the speed limit set at 110kph.
Offenders will be fined Sh100,00 as part of enhancing safety at the expressway.
Further, rumble strips have also been installed to warn drivers to slow down as they approach the various toll gates.
The new development follows increased cases of traffic accidents and incidents involving commercial passenger vehicles along the recently opened expressway.
The new development follows increased cases of accidents involving commercial passenger vehicles along the recently opened expressway.
Transport and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary James Macharia has announced that commercial passenger vehicles with a capacity of more than seven passengers have been temporarily restricted from using the road.
Cause of accidents witnessed
The move, he explained, is to give the government time to investigate the cause of accidents witnessed on the expressway and develop appropriate safety measures to ensure the vehicles use the expressway safely.
He said that since the expressway was opened to the public in May, a number of traffic accidents and incidents involving commercial passenger vehicles have been witnessed.
This has necessitated an investigation to be launched into the cause of the accidents and incidents in order for appropriate safety interventions to be developed to ensure such vehicles use the expressway safely.
“The Ministry of Transport has, therefore, taken the decision to temporarily restrict commercial passenger vehicles with a capacity of more than seven passengers from using the Nairobi Expressway, as we investigate the cause of these accidents and develop appropriate safety measures,” said Mr Macharia in a statement.
“Every life matters, and the government is keen to avoid unnecessary injuries and loss of lives. This restriction takes effect immediately,” he added.
This morning, several passengers sustained injuries following an accident at the entrance of the Nairobi Expressway in Westlands resulting in a huge traffic snarl-up along Waiyaki Way.
This is after a Super Metro passenger bus overturned after it hit a guardrail while avoiding hitting another vehicle that was using the expressway lane.
On July 4, 2022, at least 20 people were injured after an Embasava Sacco bus was involved in an accident on the expressway at the Mlolongo toll station.
The accident led to a temporary closure of the toll station with motorists Syokimau toll station to exit or enter the expressway.
On June 26, one person died and scores were injured after a motorist crashed into a toll station at Mlolongo Exit with a toll attendant and other motorists being among the injured.
The personal car crashed through the barriers before hitting vehicles that had lined up at the toll station.
