Kenya: Kenya Electrial Trades & Allied Workers Union will soon strike for their CBA by mid-next week (03.04.2017)

Opinion: President Trump might have the most eloquent speech yesterday, still his acts is what worries me!

It does not matter if he has the most perfect and most suited address of internal American matters or international yesterday in the Congress. That do not affect me B. Since his Executive Orders, Internal Memo’s and all the other tools that he uses to inflict harm and destroy humanity is that concerns a fellow brother like me.

I does not matter to me if he learned a few new words, spoke with his heart and blurred out some common sense yesterday. Since the lack of respect for intelligence and the lack of understanding of the reactions to his own actions are massive. The reason for the concern is the way he can easily pick something out of context and spread it like a disease.

President Trump, your Executive Orders and Presidential Memorandum is the ones that brings fear to me. The insulting ways of not caring what the experts in fields are saying and your lack of grasping the mentality of being the man-in-charge. The title is easy to carry, but to achieve something with honour and grace seems far-fetched at this point. Therefore, we are at crossroads, the crossing has already appeared and your methods are in use.

I cannot look out say since you said something beautiful yesterday and hopeful. Believe that tomorrow you will act like a man, who respect the constitution, international order and be civil. Since your ways is not like that and seems strange if that really would happen. You have an imagination and self-drive that is out of proportion. The sense of justification for your assaults on others is because you are always the victim, even when you strike first. Which is insulting to the rest of us seeing the whole ordeal and hearing it by all cable-TV.

So that you believe in yourself that you can as a PR stunt in a first Presidential Address take away the inflicted pain and suffrage you have already caused, that is not possible. There is a long way, but your immigration rules, the way you have been fixing the ICE agents procedures and attack on anyone questioning your reasons. Does not rule high in my book of proverbs. More likely shows the lack of morals and the lack of integrity a man of Presidential stature is supposed to have.

President Trump and his administration do not care about the effects as long as the rich multi-national companies earns fortunes, if you spill oil in rivers, frack the Midwest like a Swiss Cheese or even put trade-embargoes on Mexico and Canada, who cares as long as Goldman Sachs or any other big financial organizations earns huge profits. The pain of the ordinary person is not important. Therefore if 20 million Americans lose their health insurance is not that important, but what is important is that they pay for their coverage and get rid of the ones that should not have the ability to covered anyway. That is a true American spirit and wishful society, where the wealthy get yachts and hotels, while the poor has decide if they can by McDonalds burger or medication for their daughter. What a wonderful picture of the new America First.

Certainly, Trump must be so brave to take away the help to the poorest, the ones in need so he can spend fortunes upon fortunes on ammunition, guns and hi-tech military equipment, that is how nations is built. Out of the ashes of war and despair comes the grand fortunes of corruption and multi-million progress salvage pack bought and greased by American business. A favourable package for Trump and financial market friends.

Therefore, the words and speech of hope or whatnot yesterday does not matter to me. Because I cannot believe it or think that, it is true. Since his Executive Orders is to free-market policies or to give way to deport, detain or stop immigration at a scale in modern history that cause havoc. Together with the current political climate and the scales of internal conflict, it does not serve the United States, neither the world.

You can in theory claim that a potato is not a potato, still when you look at it and touch it. You know deep in your heart it is a potato and your mind remembers how a potato feels in your hand. Even if Trump now speaks of peace, promise of better day and of another to make America First. Trust me; I do not trust him, not a single bit. That is because of his acts and the way he does not give in. That is why he has in the past always taken things to court and appealed until the others have given in to a settlement instead of what they was entitle to get in the first place. Trump have manoeuvred that way in the past. So why should the old man change now?

I will not be shocked if read soon more disturbing Executive Orders where the Immigrants and their access to American soil is a danger to all of society, a cost and burden on all sort of employment. Therefore, I do not trust the man. Since his time as President the efforts to humans who flee wars for safe haven has been shut, the deportation with ICE agent has escalated and the reality of the economic is already starting to be shaped. A nice little speech is not changing my perspective on the man. Unless, the man retracts the Executive Orders, stops the internal memos and just stop with rhetoric of his. However, the old man will not do that, since it is not his way.

So please, do not tell me there is new Trump. Glean and Clean Trump does not exist and is not real. It fake like his tan. If there were a new Trump, it would have the changed and begged sorry to some of the people he really has offended. That is not him. We all know that my now and we know that he will not do anything about that. Unless, Bannon or one of the other wise guys at the White House says so.

Well, enough of the nonsense? Not yet! We have so many more days of this administration. Therefore, there will be more of this and this gravy train of ignorance and blatant disregard of decency will not decay, more it will sprite up some more juice and call it soup. Peace.

Opinion: President Trump and his White House staff are cry-babies who cannot handle critique!

“Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”

― United Nations, Universal Declaration of Human Rights

We know by now that President Donald J. Trump isn’t an ordinary man, politician or businessman. We all who hasn’t been living under a rock, knows about the amount of nonsense that comes from this man, there are enough quotes and idiocrasy from the man who runs the United States government. There is certainty that he lacks moral codes and his cabinet shows the same disregard. Certainly, the man loves and hates media has taken it further. With his terminator mouth of White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer who had another press conference yesterday!

“Outlets seeking to gain entry whose requests were denied included the Guardian, the New York Times, Politico, CNN, BuzzFeed, the BBC, the Daily Mail and others. Conservative publications such as Breitbart News, the One America News Network and the Washington Times were allowed into the meeting, as well as TV networks CBS, NBC, Fox and ABC. The Associated Press and Time were invited but boycotted the briefing” (…) “The decision to limit access to Spicer, hours after Trump once again declared that much of the media was “the enemy of the American people” while speaking at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, marked a dramatic shift” (Siddiqui, 2017).

So the lack of transparent and the editing out fellow media to their press conference, show the lack of accountability and the level of wanting to answer hard questions by the Trump Administration. I am sure that they just want to sell Ivanka Trump Jewellery and get Japanese diplomates on the Old Post Office Trump Hotel in Washington D.C., but hey they are supposed to run a machine of a government and administration as well. It’s a hard bargain to sell the sort of Executive Orders, the sort of acts and bills, while still being loved. So, with the draconian and animosity the Trump administration delivers it didn’t help with yet more attacks from the President himself at a Republican conference of some sort!

“In his speech, Trump wrongly accused the media even of inaccurately covering his “enemy of the people” tweet. He offered a kind of clarification: he was not saying the media is an enemy of the people, merely the “fake news” segment — a claim belied by his specific mention of ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, and the New York Times” (…) “Because they have no sources, they just make ‘em up when there are none,” he said. “I saw one story recently where they said, ‘Nine people have confirmed.’ There’re no nine people. I don’t believe there was one or two people. Nine people,” he said — apparently referring to an accurate Washington Post article that led to Trump’s firing of national security adviser Michael Flynn” (Dale, 2017).

Trump and Spicer lack the basic understanding of the media, or they doesn’t want to understand it, because their lack of faith in the reports and their work. If Trump and his administration acted fair and had just legislation than the media would indirectly praise or even write good stuff about it. If the Trump Administration did Noble acts and took care of their own, then they would write that. If the Trump Administration showed character and took charge of their difficulties, didn’t lie and didn’t blame everyone else. Than the media would write those stories of the Trump administration does good things.  However, the Trump administration blames Oba and blames everyone else breathing on planet earth. Saying their chaos is perfect and that their acts aren’t causing any issues, which is also wrong. So a fair and balanced media will address this, but Trump only accept praise of InfoWars and Fox News, that is why he watches that and even uses it in his speeches. Such a gentleman this Trump, nah, just kidding!

Trump is cry-baby who can’t manage critique and criticism, he is always the genius and the mastermind. Trump is the wonder-boy if he put his feet in the Hudson River, that would suddenly find Atlantis. That is the mind of Trump; he knows everything and has all knowledge, therefore who needs intelligence and questions which is hard from the media. They will not report it the way Trump sees it anyway, because none else has the brilliance of the President anyway. The ignorance and the lacking accountability of the man is on the forefront.

Donald Trump doesn’t show the knowledge of democracy, of freedom of speech or need of a free press, but not that it is shocking. Trump doesn’t even have the ability to drop the IRS Tax Returns to prove his real value and his companies’ ties to the rest of the world. That is because of his massive ego and doesn’t want his bloated arrogance to tarnish by the actual value of the Trump Organization.

Trump cannot and will not be questioned too much, because in truth, he has lacking knowledge of important subject, he also has no tact and no clear vision, except for his ego. The President are self-centred who talks about the people when calling the media an enemy, but he means is that the media as an enemy for him. This is usual autocratic leaders, like they envision themselves in the people, but reality only talking about their own identity.

So it is time for Trump and his administration to get out of the hissy fit, grow a few manly balls, and envision some strength and capacity. Stand up towards the media, address them like folk and spread their vision if they want just behaviour. I doubt that Trump and his folks has the ability to this, they will either attack than change ways. Trump cannot manage to be clear-cut and be on defence. That is not his way, he has to attack or be the victim. That is if we talk about that he acts as apparently or is the common denominator in these circumstances, when we talk about him versus the media or against anyone else. Trump is usually the starter of the war-of-words or acts of distinguished asshole.

So when you act like a con-man, the media going to call you con-man, if sell snake-oil, they going to call you snake-oil salesman, if you going to act like Mandela or Ghandi, they are going to call you a hero and a just freedom fighter. It depends on your acts and your ways. There are biased media, but not all are. Just like InfoWars, Fox News and Breitbart are pro-conservative; there will be other on the other side of the aisle. So not all will be gentle for the get-go, but either is the ones mentioned to liberals or the moderates anyway. So President Trump should get his mind correct and his acts in check. Though, I doubt both, it is not his style or his ways.

Trump administration needs to grow up and also grow a pair. Need a lesson and needs to understand their place in society. It is not a warzone in a press conference, a presser is to clarify and gain understanding on what the White House do and don’t. But hey, Sean Spicer and Donald J. Trump haven’t understood that yet. Peace.

Reference:

Dale, Daniel – ‘In front of a roaring crowd, Trump again calls the media the ‘enemy of the people’ (24.02.2017) link: https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2017/02/24/in-front-of-a-roaring-crowd-trump-again-calls-the-media-the-enemy-of-the-people.html

 

Siddiqui, Sabrina – ‘Donald Trump press ban: BBC, CNN and Guardian denied access to briefing’ (25.02.2017) link: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/feb/24/media-blocked-white-house-briefing-sean-spicer

Kenya: Government Statement on Refugees and Closure of Refugee Camps (06.05.2016)

Dr. Kizza Besigye taken from House-Arrest; AGAIN! Detained at Kiira Road P.S.; Planned to meet at FDC HQ for a National Executive Council meeting to discuss Court Petition; While Journalist detained in Kasangati to follow the situation; Police blames journalist for “Disseminating information” to the public!

As the House Arrest continues, Dr. Kizza Besigye has still limited access to the world. He had planned to meet fellow FDC officials. That he was not allowed to does his party work, still days after the Election Day.

Reported:

“Dr. Kizza Besigye arrested this afternoon outside his home as he attempted to go to Najjanankumbi for an FDC Management committee meeting which will be followed by the National Executive Committee meeting tomorrow”.

Just as before he was taken in a Police-van as he was trying to leave the home and will be detain somewhere as he was driving away from his home; the DPC of Kasangati James Kawalya is still following his orders.

As he went out of the home he got taken by the van and then detained at the Kiira Road Police Station. He has been there the whole day.

About the Meeting that Dr. Kizza Besigye was about to attend:

“Leaders in the Forum for Democratic Change party are meeting today to decide the next course of action as the deadline for challenging the outcome of the February 18 presidential election looms” (…)”The meeting convened by the FDC president Major General Mugisha Muntu at the party headquarters seeks to decide on whether the party’s option of court still holds water, a day to the deadline” (…)”Present at the meeting is FDC chairman Wasswa Biriggwa, Vice President Northern, Reagan Okumu, FDC Electoral Commission Chairman Dan Mugarura, Leader of Opposition Wafula Oguttu, FDC Treasurer Geoffrey Ekkanya, among others” (…)”FDC presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye was also expected to attend the meeting however, he was arrested again by men in Police uniform as he left his home in Kasangati for the meeting” (…)”There is heavy police presence at the party headquarters with regular and field force police officers deployed around the area” (The Capital Gang on 91.3 Capital FM, 29.02.2016).

What I have highlighted is the issue that the Police and the NRM-Regime cannot handle as they have too much to hide by the way they “won” the election. If they didn’t then they would let the FDC and their organization come with evidence to court without any issues together with their presidential candidate. It is obvious that Police is going against the FDC and that shows how the NRM are dealing with their “Knock-Out” win; they are proving by their actions alone. That they fear the petition that the opposition party could come with, also the results of the evidence brought to court. That is something to think about!

Abed Bwanika had this to say:

“Today 29-Feb-2016 I am on my way to meet Kizza Besigye peacefully. Thereafter I await to meet National Resistance Movement – NRM Candidate Yoweri Kaguta Museveni having sent him my notice of intention to meet him. It shall take humility to realize a government of national unity.  For God and My Country” (Bwanika, 29.02.2016).

Mr. Bwanika will not be able to meet with Besigye at Kasangati as he has been detain the whole day at Kiira Road Police Station, and the basis for the meeting and the premise. The planned and sought of Unity between Besigye and Museveni; should be deleted plan as it is not something to go for. The only one winning on that is President Museveni and he does not deserve “Legitamacy” for his power and rule at this point.

Also today as journalist from NBS TV arrived around the home in Kasangati and was yet again. This journalist was Elijah Turya and his camera man was taken away. Another reporter was also arrested not at Kasangati, but in Kampala near the State House in Nakasero as the reporter was filming the piglets dropped there earlier today. The reporter was CCTV Abubaker Muwonge. After the report the matters has gotten worse as the Police have asked to get his passwords for his phones to get the information on his phone. He has declined to deliver that request.

Clip from NBS TV:

“With Kizza Besigye under house arrest, it has become increasingly dangerous for journos who cover his stories. Some were recently arrested by the police for inexplicable reasons” (NBS TV Uganda, 28.02.2016).

One Journalist talk about his experience at the Kasangati Police Station:

“Am back from Kasangati police cells with no charges but accused of disseminating information to the public especially covering Besigye. Among other journalists detained but released together were Lubowa Dean Ssaava Nbs Tv, Elijja Turyagumanawe Nbs Tv, Mukose Arnold Anthony Salt Media, Ssendegeya Mohammed CBS and other 3 BBS Tv reporters. This was done by police to smoothly sneak out and arrest Besigye to un known place without being followed by journalists. We appeal to police to professionally work with us because we are not enemies with security agencies and we want one another” (Arnold Anthony Mukose, 29.02.2016).

I hope I disseminating information to the public because I do not want to sound like Adrew Mwenda or Ofwono Opondo as they are the ones are allowed to write whatever and say whatever with getting the police and being detained at the moment. The journalists and the opposition officials are still under hot-water and the police acting “wokoloso”.

The actions towards Dr. Kizza Besigye are as foolish as it has been since he has been day-in and day-out. Still the issues are there and the warrant or charges for the man has not come. So the issue is that the Police and government are violating his freedom of expression and also political life. As he is the man who they fear the most! While now the Police are tired of the expression of the Press as they attacks the journalists and detain them for doing the job, they are alerting the world about the situation of Dr. Kizza Besigye. Something that should not give them a felony! Peace.

Press Release No. 15/360: IMF Executive Board Concludes 2015 Article IV Consultation with Somalia (29.07.2015)

On July 27, 2015, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation with Somalia: 

Since 1991, Somalis have suffered greatly from civil war. The economy deteriorated as the physical infrastructure was destroyed. In addition to the loss of lives, the war worsened the population’s living conditions, now among the lowest in the world. Even though the political and security situations remain challenging, Somalia has made tremendous progress since resuming relations with the IMF on April 12, 2013. The IMF has been actively involved in providing technical assistance and policy advice in its key areas of expertise, which laid the groundwork for this Consultation. While Somalia has been welcomed back as an active member of the Fund, it remains ineligible for financial assistance pending the clearance of its longstanding arrears. Arrears clearance will be an important part of normalizing relations with the international community and establishing a roadmap to debt sustainability.

As a result of the civil war, all Somali state institutions are severely impaired. Improving governance in key state institutions is critical for progress on economic reconstruction and development. The federal government, working with the international community, has taken steps to improve governance based on the rule of law and the application of international good practices for fiscal and financial operations. IMF technical assistance is largely devoted to enhancing governance in the ministry of finance and the central bank. Rebuilding critical infrastructure and delivering basic social and economic services will be crucial for the new government to gain the trust of the Somali people, advance the process of national reconciliation, and to extend federal government authority over all parts of the country.

Economic activity is estimated to have expanded by 3.7 percent in 2014, driven by growth in agriculture, construction, and telecommunications. Consumer price inflation was 1.3 percent. For 2015, real growth is projected at 2.7 and inflation should remain subdued at about 4 percent. With modest progress on the security front and an absence of drought, medium-term annual growth should be about 5 percent. Nevertheless, growth will remain inadequate to redress poverty and gender disparities.

Budget preparation and implementation is fraught with difficulty due to deficiencies in revenue mobilization and expenditure pressures that exceed available resources. The budget consists largely of salary and security expenditures contained by strict cash rationing. Deficits have been financed mostly through arrears accumulation. Similarly, the 2015 budget was prepared on a zero cash balance basis with optimistic revenue forecasts and weak commitment control, leading the federal government to ration cash and incur arrears to the defense forces, civil servants, and suppliers. On July 19, an extraordinary session of the Cabinet, chaired by the President, approved and sent to Parliament a revised budget for 2015.

The formal financial sector consists of the central bank, six banks with provisional licenses, and nine licensed money transfer firms. The sector is small and nascent while there is reportedly a large informal sector. The central bank of Somalia (CBS) faces challenges in building financial sector supervision due to technical and human resource constraints. The economy is predominantly dollarized and cash is scarce, particularly in lower denominations. Somali banknotes are not readily available, creating problems for the poorest.

The 2014 current account deficit is estimated at US$644 million (11.3 percent of GDP). Trade consists mostly of exports of livestock to Gulf Cooperation Council countries and imports of foodstuffs from neighboring countries and the Indian subcontinent. The trade and income deficits were US$2,663 million and US$450 million, respectively, partially covered by remittances of US$1,333 million and other transfers of US$1,137 million. The deficit was financed by foreign direct investment of US$434 million, especially in telecommunications, electricity, and hotels, and donor capital transfers of US$150 million.

External debt was estimated at US$5.3 billion (93 percent of GDP) at end-2014, preponderantly arrears. Debt data covers most creditors, excludes commercial debt, and shows obligations to: (i) multilaterals (US$1.5 billion); (ii) Paris Club creditors (US$2.3 billion); and, (iii) Non-Paris Club creditors (US$1.5 billion). Based on a preliminary assessment, Somalia lacks the ability to service its debt in the medium term.

Executive Board Assessment²

Executive Directors welcomed Somalia’s reengagement with the Fund, setting the stage for its first Article IV consultation since 1989. Directors agreed with the thrust of the staff appraisal. They noted that, following the protracted civil war, the country is facing daunting challenges. The first priority is to continue building institutions and administrative capacity, while undertaking key structural reforms to spur inclusive growth and reduce poverty. Directors underscored the importance of continued assistance from the international community to support the authorities’ efforts. They welcomed the launch of the Trust Fund for Capacity Development, and highlighted the important role of Fund policy advice and technical assistance.

Directors stressed the need for decisive steps to build fiscal discipline, underpinned by realistic budgeting and effective implementation systems. They welcomed cabinet approval of a revised budget for 2015 that will avoid new arrears by raising revenues and rationalizing wages and services and other recurrent spending. Going forward, Directors stressed the importance of budgeting within a medium-term fiscal framework, based on sound fiscal principles and transparent reporting, and a public expenditure review to promote the allocation of resources towards investment in human capital and infrastructure.

Directors encouraged the adoption of sound mechanisms to ensure effective and transparent management of prospective natural resource wealth. They recommended building institutions consistent with international best practices to ensure that natural resource exploitation maximizes benefits for Somalis. They also stressed the need for clarity regarding the delineation of authority between the federal government and sub-national entities.

Directors supported ongoing efforts to strengthen the Central Bank of Somalia’s capacity and governance structure, with support from the Fund and development partners. They cautioned that currency reform should not be implemented until all prerequisites are in place, in order to safeguard policy credibility.

Directors stressed that elaboration of a financial sector roadmap will be a critical first step to build credibility in licensing and supervising money transfer firms, in order to help channel remittances through the international banking system. They also recommended bringing the AML/CFT framework in line with international standards. Other priorities include preparing and approving additional prudential regulations, and strengthening compliance.

Directors encouraged the authorities to improve statistical capacity, in order to enhance the scope, quality and timeliness of economic data compilation, with technical assistance from the Fund and development partners.

Directors noted Somalia’s longstanding arrears to the Fund and other creditors, and encouraged the authorities to continue to work towards a pathway for arrears clearance and eventual debt relief. They noted that, in due course, the establishment of a track record of cooperation with the Fund on policies and payments in the context of a well-designed staff-monitored program (SMP) would be a key step in the process of arrears clearance and normalization of relations with the international community as a whole. Directors stressed the need for sustained international support and cooperation, and welcomed the formation of the Technical Working Group on Somalia’s Debt.

Joint Statement: Nairobi County on decongestion and traffic circurlation in Nairobi City issued on Monday 9th March, 2015.

STATEMENT

JOINT STATEMENT BY ENG. MICHAEL S.M KAMAU, CBS, CABINET SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURE AND DR. EVANS KIDERO, GOVERNOR,NAIROBI COUNTY ON DECONGESTION AND TRAFFIC CIRCULATION IN NAIROBI CITY ISSUED ON MONDAY 9^TH MARCH, 2015 AT CITY HALL

Members of the Media

We have convened this briefing to inform Kenyans and Nairobi City residents of the joint plans the National and County Government of Nairobi have to address traffic jams in the City. The congestion of the city is a matter great concern to all as a result of the long commute times, man hours lost and the obvious high cost of transport and doing business.

The National Government and County of Nairobi will be working closely to implementation of short, medium and long-term measures to tackle the problem.

You may recall that on 21^st October, 2014, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure signed an MOU with the counties of Nairobi Metropolitan Area to pave way for co-operation with regard to matters of transport and transit systems in the metropolitan area. This initiative to deal with traffic congestion in the city of Nairobi is being implemented within this framework.

We are alive to the fact that congestion situation in Nairobi requires immediate action but we are also aware that a one-off quick fix will not deliver the results Kenyans deserve and therefore the approach will be focused, consistent and systematic devoid of the fear to experiment, make mistakes and correct them.

Congestion in Nairobi City is due to a transport system, that has experienced exponential growth in vehicle population without commensurate expansion of road infrastructure. The situation has been worsened by inadequate public transport system with the capacity to ferrying the growing number of commuters within the metropolitan area efficiently.

In order to provide leadership in addressing this challenge, we have constituted and gazetted an inter-disciplinary Task Force chaired by Mr. Mohamed Abdullahi, the County Executive Committee Member for Roads and Transport, Nairobi City County to continuously identify causes of traffic bottlenecks and come up with effective solutions to address them.

The team has already come up with a plan that will be rolled out as follows:

SHORT-TERM/QUICK WINS (0-12 weeks)

Review of PSV termini, bus stops and routes

It has been noted that PSV’s have converted some streets in the CBD as termini causing congestion. In order to address the problem and also streamline PSV operations in the city the following measures will be implemented:

1. Review all PSV termini and bus stops in the city and redesign routes to avoid termination of PSV’s in the CBD.
2. Enforce the Nairobi County by-Law that allows PSV to wait for passengers at termini for a maximum of 40 minutes and 5 minutes at bus stops.
3. Review all PSV routes to improve traffic flow and gazette the same.
4. Suspension of licensing of PSV’s on Nairobi City routes until a demand analysis of all routes is undertaken to justify issuance of additional licenses.
5. A multi-agency team comprising NTSA, Nairobi County and traffic police will enforce and ensure all PSVs comply with NTSA act, City by-laws and the Traffic Act.

Improvement of Junctions

Twenty one (21)road junctions have been identified for improvement along the arterial roads to improve traffic flow. These include, Ngong Road, Argwings Kodhek Road, Haile- Selassie Avenue, Jogoo Road, Mombasa Road, Langata Road and Kiambu Road. Contracts have already been awarded to improve junctions by constructing side lanes to divert some of the traffic from using roundabouts. Already, implementation is taking place along Ngong road at Muchai Drive.

Removal of Roundabouts

We are addressing traffic movement along the arterial road, A104 (Waiyaki Way-Uhuru Highway-Mombasa Road). There are 6 roundabouts where 70 percent of traffic builds up during rush hours thereby hindering smooth flow along the busy stretch.

In order to improve the flow by about 30-40 per cent, five (5) roundabouts will be removed and substituted with signalized intersections. The affected roundabouts include the intersection between University Way and Uhuru Highway, Kenyatta Avenue and Uhuru Highway, Haile-Selassie Avenue with Uhuru Highway, Bunyala and Lusaka roundabouts. The roundabout at Westlands will be configured to avoid right turning movements and traffic redirected accordingly.

MEDIUM-TERM (6months +)

In the Medium- term, improvements will be made to expand the road network various corridors in and out of the city. Indeed works in some cases are ongoing and will be completed soon these include:

• Outer ring road
• Mombasa Road-Uhuru Highway
• Waiyaki Way
• Njiru-Juja Road
• Ngong Road-Show Ground
• Langata Road
• Thika Road
• Jogoo Road
• Mbagathi Road

Construction of the Southern bypass is ongoing and it should be completed very soon. This bypass will provide an important alternative to west bound traffic that does not need to cross the CBD.

Similarly, road missing links, namely: KunguKarumba-NgongRoad, Langata Road-Bomas, 1^st Avenue Eastleigh, Upper Hill, and along Outering Road are all planned for pavement in order to provide alternative routes to improve traffic flow.

In addition, an Intelligent Transport System with centrally controlled Traffic Management Centre for the City will be implemented to manage traffic movement.

LONG- TERM (3 Years +)

The sustainable solution to traffic congestion will be to develop and implement an efficient and effective mass rapid public transport system that will include Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) commuter rail and Light Rail Transit (LRT).   The development of these systems is at various stages of implementation. Indeed the Government is proceeding to create the institutional framework through the Nairobi Metropolitan Transit Authority to provide a coherent coordinated approach to Nairobi Metropolitan transit issues.

In conclusion it is noteworthy that some of the traffic jams are caused by lack of courtesy and bad driving habits. We urge all drivers to act with courtesy and avoid bad driving habits like overlapping.

We also recognize that we require the support of all our stakeholders who include PSV operators, commercial and private vehicle owners. We also look forward to the support of the media in communicating some of the changes we will be making and giving us feedback on what is working and what is not working so that we can keep the city of Nairobi moving.

Thank you

Eng. M. S.M Kamau, CBS                                        Hon. Dr. Evans Kidero

Cabinet Secretary                                                       Governor

Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure                          Nairobi City County