Murkomen: Matatus to be allowed back on Nairobi expressway

After a 10-month prohibition as a result of an accident, public service vehicles (PSVs) will soon be permitted back on the Nairobi highway.

Kipchumba Murkomen, the cabinet secretary for transport, informed lawmakers Wednesday that the ministry was considering lifting the ban on PSVs after reviewing it.

“They were denied an opportunity because of the accident but now we are reviewing that ban. The request is at my desk and we are looking at it,” Mr Murkomen said.

In July of last year, Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) carrying more than seven passengers were prohibited from utilizing the road by former Transport and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary James Macharia.

Following a car accident involving an Embassava Sacco minibus at the Mlolongo toll station, the government announced the measures.

During the collision, the car slammed into other people waiting in line as it drove toward the toll gate at the Mlolongo entry.

Additionally, Mr. Murkomen disclosed that the government is constructing an expressway exit leading to the Central Business District (CBD).

According to the CS, constructing the exit would take eight months, and the contractor would be informed when to start working at the end of this month.

The new exit would be erected near the new Green Park terminus, he said the MPs, adding that the government had already purchased land for the project and that it would take eight months to complete.

“The approved design land has been acquired and will be communicated to the developer by the end of this month,” Mr Murkomen said.

He informed the legislators that an exit onto Haile Selassie Avenue in the CBD was originally planned for the freeway. However, because the government was unable to supply the required land for tolling stations at the road’s departure, it was decided to build the exit somewhere else.