Bunyala, Lusaka road roundabouts reopened

Nairobi County Governor Evans Kidero (left) and acting Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia at a media briefing at City Hall in Nairobi on April 14, 2015 when Dr Kidero announced that the Bunyala and Lusaka road roundabouts would be reopened. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Those using Mombasa Road heaved a sigh of relief, saying the removal of the barriers was allowing smooth flow of traffic.
  • Dr Kidero bowed to pressure from motorists who had endured three days of arguably the worst traffic gridlocks in Nairobi.

Nairobi motorists woke up to a reprieve Wednesday morning following a decision by the county government to open up roundabouts at Bunyala Road and Lusaka Road.

Motorists praised the move by Governor Evans Kidero on social media, saying traffic flow was better than when the roundabouts were closed.

Some motorists using Mombasa Road said the removal of the barriers allowed smooth flow of traffic.

“Mombasa Road is nywee (smooth) till Bellevue, but still moving. Thanks to the removal of #KideroDrums said,” @mulikevs on Twiter.

Another social media user, @GeoffreyOnkund1, said, “Thanks to Kidero for taking off his drums Mombasa Road somehow good today despite jam but moving”.

Others expressed joy that they had taken a very short time to arrive home from the city centre and vice versa, with @JamesOrito saying he had taken 20 minutes from the city centre to Lungalunga via Jogoo Road, saying traffic was flowing well.

'DRUMS'

Another Twitter user @SirnjayDan said, “@KideroEvans and now the flow so smooth, three minutes from NCBD to Nyayo @PoliceKe doing their job”.

“Traffic at Bunyala Road today is moderately fair compared to yesterday’s,” tweeted @johntroony.

The county also opened up the turnoff to Riverside Drive that had been closed to motorists, barring them from making a left turn from Uhuru Highway.

“#KideroDrums at the entrance to Riverside Drive from Chiromo/Uhuru highway have been removed this morning,” tweeted @carolmusyoka.

However, some motorists said there was still heavy traffic on sections of Mombasa Road and called for urgent action to ease the snarl-up.

“@KideroEvans @TransportKE, with or without the drums on Mombasa Road, the difference is insignificant,” complained @pmutua2012.

“Mombasa Road with or without Kidero's drums is one hell of a mess! Something major needs to be done on this road,” added @GMucee.

Governor Kidero bowed to pressure from motorists, who had endured three days of arguably the worst traffic gridlock in Nairobi in recent memory.

Roundabouts on University Way, Kenyatta and Haile Selassie avenues and Westlands will, however, remain closed.