Governor Evans Kidero calls for patience over Nairobi roundabouts closure

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

Reacting to protests on social media over traffic jams in the city after the roundabouts were closed, Governor Kidero’s director of communications, Walter Mongare, said the move should not be politicised.

He called for patience, saying a study was done by the national and county governments before the closure.

“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 on his Twitter account on Tuesday.

SABOTAGE

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

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

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."

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 snarl-ups since traffic flow at the roundabouts was modified.

Some urged the Nairobi governor to reconsider the new roundabouts rule, saying traffic flow 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.

The Bunyala and Nyayo Stadium roundabouts were closed.

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

The Westlands roundabout has also been closed and motorists will only be allowed to make a left turn from Ring Road 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 roundabout.