Nairobi County’s decision to close five roundabouts in the city has been met with a mixed responses on the first morning that the new system has been put to the test. There have been angry complaints and joyful cheers in equal measure on social media as Nairobians reacted to the new changes this morning.
In a desperate bid to decongest Nairobi’s traffic, Governor Evans Kidero announced the decision to ban right turns on at least five of the city’s roundabouts in March. Among the roundabouts affected are University Way-Uhuru Highway, Kenyatta Avenue-Uhuru Highway, Haile Selassie Avenue-Uhuru Highway, Bunyala and Lusaka. Most of the changes to the roundabouts were made during the Easter weekend and Kidero last evening did his best to give Nairobians tips on how they can make the new system work for them.
I urge all drivers to act with courtesy and avoid bad driving habits like overlapping. @Ma3Route @BerylOkundi pic.twitter.com/1hGs3NKwOk
— Dr. Evans Kidero (@KideroEvans) April 6, 2015
Some traffic jams are caused by lack of courtesy & bad driving habits. @Ma3Route@BerylOkundi@WALTERMONGAREpic.twitter.com/8AYjpepNz4 — Dr. Evans Kidero (@KideroEvans) April 6, 2015
On Tuesday morning, though, there were plenty of road users who thought that Kidero’s cure for Nairobi’s gridlocked traffic was worse than the disease. Several drivers on Mombasa road complained of being stuck in snail-slow traffic for more than two hours.
Jogoo rd traffic backed up all the way to Donholm roundabout. pic.twitter.com/hR2yCjCSXI via @edutchz — Ma3Route (@Ma3Route) April 7, 2015
I bought a news paper and have read whole of while in Mombasa road from cabanas now I need a second one via @jeconeskj
— Ma3Route (@Ma3Route) April 7, 2015
At this rate we need to be working from our homes. Syokimau to cabanas at snail pace. via @CMwina — Ma3Route (@Ma3Route) April 7, 2015
.@KideroEvans u just created traffic nightmare in South C estates&Nbi West..long term soluti~more ⇢ http://t.co/PcENu2fg2z via @SheiMasinde
— Ma3Route (@Ma3Route) April 7, 2015
.@WALTERMONGARE My foot you dare call this a quick fix.Am in traffic msa road since 5:40 am and not in town at 8 am. via @spcnike7 — Ma3Route (@Ma3Route) April 7, 2015
But it would be a mistake to think that the new changes have been met with universal criticism because they seem to be paying off for some road users particularly those on Waiyaki way and Langata road:
Waiyaki way has never been this smooth heading to Westlands. via @sagitonga — Ma3Route (@Ma3Route) April 7, 2015
Helooo langata road will you marry me? @citizentvkenya @KirigoNgarua miracles pic.twitter.com/jhoj8gJZr5 via @WillisRaburu
— Ma3Route (@Ma3Route) April 7, 2015
Come to think of the #NoRightTurn at Westlands Round about. Yes makes sense.I used only 20min to be at the office via @David_Indeje — Ma3Route (@Ma3Route) April 7, 2015
.@jamesjumba On Waiyaki way it was worked. That i can agree via @sagitonga
— Ma3Route (@Ma3Route) April 7, 2015
So the results are a mixed bag. Although there has been plenty of criticism, Kidero and his charges – particularly Walter Mongare the County’s communications director – must be happy that at least some Nairobians are warming up to the changes. In fact there appears to be some optimism behind the initial hostility and indifference:
This new arrangement at roundabouts seem to be working,,,at least from what I can see. Let’s be optimistic about this change via @danhuhu
— Ma3Route (@Ma3Route) April 7, 2015
guys will soon get used and adjust accordingly. change is irresistible #kiderobouts via @eddymwangi
— Ma3Route (@Ma3Route) April 7, 2015
So will the roundabout tweaks stand the face to time? We’ll know for sure in a few weeks because, as some have observed, the changes won’t truly be put to the test until all the personal cars and school buses in the city hit the road at the same time.
me thinks this is the wrong time to test. schools are on holiday.most pple are on leave. wait for may 5th. westlands yaaay via @CENTSNBODD
— Ma3Route (@Ma3Route) April 7, 2015
