The Nairobi City County Government has announced a sweeping set of regulations aimed at restoring order in the Central Business District (CBD), with a strong focus on public transport and noise control. The latest directives are part of a broader campaign to create a more livable and organized urban environment.
Matatus, or public service vehicles, are at the centre of these changes. City Hall has now banned loud music in matatus operating within the CBD, requiring that all audio systems be muted while in the area. Music may only resume once the vehicles exit the CBD. The move is intended to reduce noise levels that have long disrupted businesses, schools, and daily life in the city centre.
In addition, touts and conductors will no longer be allowed to shout to attract passengers. Instead, they must use placards to indicate routes and fares, fostering a more orderly and commuter-friendly environment. A 10pm terminal curfew has also been introduced, requiring all matatus to vacate designated terminals by that time to allow for cleaning operations, in a bid to improve hygiene and urban order.
The county has also widened its crackdown on noise pollution beyond transport. Businesses, entertainment venues, and places of worship have been put on notice. Shops using loudspeakers or recorded messages to lure customers must stop the practice, while bars, nightclubs, and churches playing excessively loud music will be subjected to stricter enforcement measures.
To ensure compliance, Nairobi County will collaborate with the police, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), and liquor licensing officers to conduct joint inspections.
In a related development, the NTSA Amendment Bill, 2023, sponsored by Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa, proposes giving the national government power to regulate matatu fare rates. If passed, the Cabinet Secretary for Transport would be authorised to cap fares, aiming to curb arbitrary price hikes and protect commuters from exploitation.
Together, these reforms reflect a renewed commitment by the Nairobi City County Government to enforce urban discipline, enhance commuter experiences, and promote a cleaner, quieter, and more organized city.
