Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero calls for patience over roundabouts closure

The new-look Nyayo Stadium roundabout after it was barricaded to stop right turns. Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, through the Director of Communications Walter Mong'are, has defended the new move and called for patience even as motorists complained of traffic snarl ups. PHOTO | DIANA NGILA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

By  NATION REPORTER

What you need to know:

  • Mr Mongare was reacting to a trending hashtag, #SomeoneTellKidero, posted on Twitter by Cofek that gave scores on the Governor’s performance.
  • He accused some organisations of misleading Kenyans to “sabotage” the new measures to ease congestion on the roads.
  • The new traffic measures announced by Dr Kidero bar drivers from making right turns on major roundabouts in the city.
  • The Westlands roundabout has also been closed and motorists will only be allowed to make a left turn from Ring Road Westlands.

Nairobi County Governor Evans Kidero has defended closure of roundabouts in a bid to decongest city roads.

Reacting to protests on social media on traffic snarl ups in the city after the roundabouts were closed, Dr Kidero’s Director of Communications Walter Mong'are said the move should not be politicised.

He called for patience saying a study was done by the national and county government before the closure of right-turns on major roundabouts in the city.

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“A thorough research was done for over 5 months by both the Central & County Govt before acting. Let’s be objective n patient,” he posted.

He accused some organisations of misleading Kenyans to “sabotage” the new measures to ease congestion on the roads.

“Let us not politicise the process of devt of our city, it's not magic. Stop misleading Nairobians with negative hashtags @ConsumersKenya,” Mr Mongare posted on his Twitter account on Tuesday.

NO MIRACLE

He added: “Nairobians don't be misled by few people out 2 sabotage the new traffic measures. Something had to be done & couldn't be a miracle @Ma3Route,” he posted.

Mr Mongare was reacting to a trending hashtag, #SomeoneTellKidero, posted on Twitter by Consumers Federation of Kenya (Cofek) that gave scores on the Governor’s performance.

“ReportCard: Traffic-D; Vision-E; Environment-D; Consistency-E; Planning-F; Corruption-A; Deception-B; Status: One-termer #SomeoneTellKidero,” Cofek tweeted.

Motorists have been complaining on social media over traffic snarl up since the roundabouts were closed.

Some urged the Nairobi Governor to reconsider the new roundabouts rule saying movement had become slower than before.

NO RIGHT TURN

The new traffic measures announced by Dr Kidero bar drivers from making right turns on major roundabouts in the city.

Bunyala and Nyayo Stadium roundabouts were closed.

Motorists driving towards Mombasa from, say Nyayo Stadium, or get to Bunyala Road from Upper Hill, a motorist will need to drive up to the Haile Selassie Avenue/Uhuru Highway roundabout to make a U-turn.

The Westlands roundabout has also been closed and motorists will only be allowed to make a left turn from Ring Road Westlands before making a U-turn at Consolata Shrine for motorists coming from Westlands intending to go to Kangemi.

From Raphta Road towards Westlands, motorists will only make a left turn and head towards Kangemi up to the area near Brookside Groove where they will be allowed to make a U-turn to drive towards Westlands.

There will be no entry to Riverside Drive while driving on Chiromo Road, instead, motorists will access Riverside Drive through the former Westlands round about.

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