The County Government of Kisumu launched a Sustainable and Resilient Mobility Plan to enhance equitable and convenient transport system in the city.
The Institute for Transport and Development Policy (ITDP) and United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat) came up with a ten-year plan which mainly seeks to decongest the city.
ITDP representative Eng. Meshack Kidenda said the plan will facilitate equal allocation of road space and greater investment in walking, cycling, and public transport.
Kisumu, which is the third-largest city in the country, will receive a developed Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) system which will decongest the growing city.
Speaking during the launch at the first Kisumu Car Free Day on Tuesday, 16 February, Governor Anyang Nyong’o said the aim was to allow pedestrians to go about their business within Kisumu Central Business District (CBD) safely without interruption or danger from motorists.
The governor also revealed that the county was in partnership with an electronic motorcycle assembly firm that would supply e-motorbikes to boda boda operators. This is an attempt to help decarbonize the city.
“This company is here now, if you want the e-motorbike you bring the one you are using then they lease you a new one to continue with your business,” he said.
UN-Habitat Representative Rehab Mudala said the initiative would also discuss issues of pollution and other challenges that are a result of congestion.
“We need to embrace a public transport system that does not punish people by embracing regular car-free days, to ensure people walk within the city uninterrupted,” Mudala said.
The County Government of Kisumu, ITDP, and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) organized a car-free day as part of the sustainable development towards implementing better streets in the lakeside city.
Kisumu Acting City Manager Abala Wanga stated that public transportation vehicles had been banned from operating in the CBD, and had been given till March 30 to vacate the area.
He also added that traders were now expected to relocate from the busy streets and park their vehicles at designated areas in the backstreet while drop-offs were only allowed 15 minutes.
Tracks transporting fuel and goods are now required to have city management clearance to ferry through the city. Failure to conform to the new laws now attracted a Ksh 7,000 fine.
