City motorists now praise new traffic flow plan
Motorists in Nairobi yon Wednesday reported improved traffic flow on Waiyaki Way and Mombasa Road following the introduction of new rules to ease congestion in the city.
This was the second day of the short-term plan by the county government and National Transport and Safety Authority to decongest the city.
However, matatu drivers who use Valley and Mbagathi roads to access Wilson Airport and Lang’ata said their route had become more congested.
NO TURNING RIGHT
The motorists now prefer the route to avoid Mombasa Road after Nyayo Stadium roundabout was barricaded to prevent vehicles from turning right to connect with Lang’ata Road.
Using Mombasa Road to access Lang’ata Road requires motorists to drive all the way to Kiganjo Avenue near Kenya School of Mass Communication to make a U-turn and drive back to join the road.
“It is easier to use Mbagathi Road via either Ngong Road or Valley Road to access town centre as the other route we have been using is longer,” said Mr Michael King’ara, a matatu driver.
However, long-distance truck drivers and their public service vehicle counterparts described the new traffic flow plan as a big relief.
“Traffic is flowing well from Mombasa Road all the way to Westlands despite the large number of cars using the road. Previously we would spend more than two hours on Uhuru Highway,” said Mr Alex Makongo, a truck driver.
BARRICADE ROUNDABOUT
Motorists using Kipande and Murang’a roads also reported improved traffic flow following the barricading of Old Nation House (Khoja) Roundabout.
Vehicles coming from the side of Moi Avenue have been making a right turn at the roundabout to access Tom Mboya Street or River Road.
Some drivers called for new road signs to make navigating the roads easier.