Following public uproar after he tabled a Bill at the Nairobi County Assembly seeking the registration and regulation of handcarts, wheelbarrows, and other non-motorised transport, Kileleshwa Member of County Assembly (MCA) Robert Alai has responded.
Taking to social media on Thursday morning, Alai clarified that the installation of reflective number plates, as proposed in his Bill, would be completely free.
According to the vocal MCA, the number plates, which will follow a ‘047-XXX’ format, are simply a way for the county government to recognise casual labourers.
“047-XXX registration numbers and plates for Mkokoteni, wheelbarrow and trolley pushers will be given for free. We just want to recognise the hustle,” Alai stated.
On Tuesday, March 4, Alai tabled the motion at the County Assembly, which was swiftly met with opposition from the public, who argued that there were far more pressing issues in Nairobi that needed to be addressed first.
“This initiative aims to address the growing congestion and safety concerns caused by the widespread use of these transport modes, which account for 45 per cent of mobility in the county, according to the UN Environment Programme,” Alai stated.
“The motion calls for the issuance of reflective number plates for all non-motorised transport, mandatory use of reflective jackets by operators, and the requirement for operators to obtain insurance coverage to protect against accidents and third-party damages.”
In addition to serving as a form of verification, he noted that the move would ensure discipline, enhance safety, and provide a framework for operators to acquire essential road safety knowledge.
Operators will be given a six-month grace period to engage with the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and comply with the guidelines if the Bill is passed.
To justify the Bill, Alai stated that it aligned with the county’s mission to decongest the city and enhance urban safety, organisation, and inclusivity for all residents and road users.
This comes a few weeks after Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja held a consultative meeting with NTSA to decipher ways to achieve this mission.
After the meeting on January 23, Sakaja announced that a traffic monitoring centre would be built in collaboration with the authority to track the movement of public service vehicles (PSVs) and ensure compliance with regulations.
“Through this centre, we will ensure that PSVs adhere to regulations and that there is proper order on our roads,” Sakaja said of the monitoring centre.
“We will soon meet with PSV stakeholders to address issues such as route disorder, parking violations, uniform requirements, and speeding. Order in the sector is non-negotiable,” he added.
