The Government of Kenya has temporarily banned matatus from using the Nairobi expressway.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by Transport and Infrastructure CS James Macharia, Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) with a capacity of over 7 passengers are the only ones that have been affected by the ban.
"We temporarily restrict commercial passenger vehicles with a capacity of more than seven passengers from using the Nairobi expressway," Macharia said.
Macharia also announced that the speed limit on the Nairobi Expressway has been capped at 110kph/h and the restrictions were expected to be effective immediately.
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"Enforcement of speed limits. The maximum speed limit on all public roads in Kenya is 110km/h" the CS said.
The government will also install rumble strips along the expressway to curb accidents on the road close to exit points to warn motorists to slow down.
"This is to warn drivers to slow down as they approach the various toll gates," he said.
Macharia also disclosed that speed cameras have been installed along the expressway to monitor speed limits applicable in different sections along the highway.
"All motorists are required by law to adhere to the stipulated speed limits. We have installed speed cameras to enhance the enforcement of speed limits," Macharia said.
Besides the measures introduced by the government to reduce accidents on the expressway, Macharia said traffic police officers will also be deployed at various locations along the road and the toll stations.
The new restrictions and measures follow the recent accidents that have been witnessed on the Nairobi Expressway involving three matatus within a week’s span on different occasions.
Two of the accidents occurred at the Mlolongo Toll Station when speeding vehicles rammed into stationary vehicles waiting to be cleared by the toll station attendants while the one happened at Westlands on Wednesday morning when a matatu overturned just at the entrance to the expressway.
