The Ministry of Transport has lifted the suspension which temporarily restricted commercial passenger vehicles or matatus from using the Nairobi Expressway.
The suspension was imposed on July 6, 2022, after what the ministry termed as isolated safety incidents and road crashes were witnessed on the toll road.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen stated that since the ban was implemented, productive engagements on creating safe road usage awareness have taken place between MOJA Expressway Company, the operator of the Nairobi Expressway, and stakeholders in the matatu industry.
“The exercise has proved successful with PSVs taking the necessary steps to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and adhere to set rules and regulations,” said Murkomen in part of the statement.
Murkomen expressed confidence that the decision will have a positive impact on the economy, improve effective mobility throughout the city, and create more job opportunities.
He also claimed that traffic volume on the Expressway has increased significantly in recent months, noting that the number of trips recorded on the toll road once reached a high of 10 million per day.
“Most notably, on 6th February 2023, MOJA recorded 10,000,000 trips on the toll road which is a testament of confidence in the efficiency and convenience that the expressway offers,” he said.
During the time of the suspension, an estimated 20 people were injured as a PSV mini-bus crashed into the Mlolongo toll station on the Expressway, whilst hitting other vehicles at the exit point.
The incident was the second at the toll station in less than a week, following a collision between private motorists and the Mlolongo toll plaza.
Measures to avert similar incidences were taken, as rumble strips were installed to warn drivers to slow down as they approached various toll gates.
Further, speed cameras were installed to enhance adherence to the speed limits.
