The government on Wednesday suspended the plan to introduce car-free days in parts of Nairobi CBD.
According to Transport CS James Macharia, the implementation which was meant to kick-off on Friday has been pushed forward by two weeks.
The CS indicated that the suspension will enable the government to vet hawkers and traders to ascertain those who will be vending on the streets.
"The capture of the Biometric data of the traders using BVR kits has not been completed as anticipated," the CS communicated.
Senator Johnson Sakaja earlier on Wednesday indicated that he had held consultations with the Ministry of Transport, Nairobi Traffic Commander, Nairobi County Government and hawkers representatives on the proposed “car-free” days.
"I have advised them to put off the exercise to allow for better planning and proper public participation," Sakaja stated.
The pilot phase was expected to take place on Friday starting 8am until 4pm and the roads affected would have included; Harambee Avenue, City Hall Way, Taifa Road and Mama Ngina Street.
The official upcoming car-free days, however, were scheduled to take place on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
The pilot phase was expected to last for a few weeks and if successful, the programme would be extended to Moi Avenue, Haile Selassie, University way and Uhuru highway.
“The purpose of this exercise is to see how we can start freeing up the CBD so that it is easier moving in and out.
“We will also be moving to satellite towns such as Westlands and Upper Hill to introduce the same concept because they too have the same problems,” CS Macharia remarked.
