All handcart and wheelbarrow owners might soon be forced to install and wear reflective number plates should new proposals contained in a motion tabled by Kileleshwa Member of County Assembly Robert Alai be passed. Alai tabled the motion before the Nairobi City County Assembly on Tuesday and seeks to introduce comprehensive guidelines for registering and regulating non-motorized means of transport, including wheelbarrows, rickshaws, handcarts, animal-drawn carts, luggage trolleys, and tricycles.
According to the MCA, the proposals are part of the regulations to enhance the safety and order of non-motorized transport in the city. ''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 Environmental Program,'' Alai stated. Matatus at traffic snarl-up along Waiyaki Way in Nairobi Kenyans.co.ke ''The motion calls for the issuance of reflective number plates for all non-motorized 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,'' he added. Additionally, the measures will aim to ensure lane discipline, enhance road safety, and provide a framework for operators to acquire necessary road safety knowledge. If passed, a six-month grace period will be provided for compliance once the guidelines are operationalized in collaboration with the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).
Alai stated that the motion aligns with Nairobi City County's broader efforts to enhance urban safety, organization, and inclusivity for all residents and road users.
The development came at a time when Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja had announced on January 23 that the county would partner with the NTSA to establish a monitoring center that will ensure that public service vehicle (PSV) owners follow a series of rules to enhance transport in the city. Sakaja announced that the monitoring center will be streamlining pick-up and drop-off points, enforcing speed limits, and ending the practice of overnight parking at bus stages.
