The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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A section of a side street parallel to Moi Avenue, near the Ambassador Hotel, has recently been closed to facilitate the resurfacing of the road.
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The small road, a popular pick-up point for numerous public service vehicles, had been accumulating water during rains, causing disruption for pedestrians and vehicles in the city center.
Matatus serving routes to Embakasi, Pipeline, Kawangware, Komarocks, and Utawala have temporarily been redirected to allow for the renovations.
The vehicles now line up along the edge of Moi Avenue, facing the Railways direction, where they pick up and drop off passengers.
Mr. Githinji, an Embakasi route matatu operator, shared with the press that their operations had been mildly affected, but they are waiting to return to their usual stop once the work is complete. “Matatus are essential to Nairobi, and it would be wrong to remove them permanently from the CBD,” he said.
Residents who spoke to media noted that the ongoing renovations and the matatus’ temporary relocation to Moi Avenue have opened up the area around the Ambassador Hotel, easing the congestion typically associated with the spot.
“The area feels more open now. I hope the county government can make this permanent so vehicles can continue picking passengers along Moi Avenue,” said Timothy Kamau, a Nairobi resident and frequent CBD visitor. “It’s more organized now, and there’s enough space for people to walk.”
The stretch under renovation has previously been notorious for flooding during rain, with pedestrians often struggling to navigate the waterlogged road.
Engineer Geoffrey Tirop, Nairobi County’s Chief Officer of Works, explained that the pavement and NMT (Non-Motorized Transport) improvements are part of a larger project that covers Ronald Ngala, Tom Mboya, and part of Odeon.
“The Nairobi City County Government has designated Moi Avenue, Harambee Avenue, Haille Sellassie, Tom Mboya (upper section), Kenyatta Avenue, City Hall Way, Mama Ngina Street, Muindi Mbingu, Standard Street, and Wabera Street for renovation,” Tirop told Wananchi Reporting.
This development comes amidst efforts by Nairobi County to relocate hawkers in an attempt to decongest the CBD. However, there have been quiet complaints from the public about some hawkers sneaking back into restricted areas to sell their goods.
