Governor Sakaja Launches Mobility Enforcement Unit to Curb Nairobi’s Traffic Crisis
Nairobi City County has unveiled a new Mobility Enforcement Unit (MEU) aimed at tackling the city’s persistent transport and traffic challenges. Approved by the County Cabinet under the leadership of Governor Johnson Sakaja, the MEU seeks to bring order to the capital’s often chaotic roads by addressing congestion, illegal parking, and enforcement gaps within the transport sector. The initiative represents a key milestone in the governor’s broader vision of building a city of order, dignity, and opportunity. The new unit will operationalize key provisions of the Nairobi City County Transport Act, 2020, consolidating enforcement functions under one centralized framework within the Mobility and Works Sector.
Governor Sakaja emphasized that the MEU will regulate all aspects of public road transport, including matatus, boda bodas, and tuk-tuks, while also improving traffic management and parking systems. It will centralize the regulation of public road transport, motorcycle operations, traffic management, and parking, he said. The MEU will consist of four specialized units: the Public Transport Unit, tasked with ensuring compliance among public service vehicles; the Traffic Marshal Unit, responsible for managing congestion hotspots; the Motorcycle Transport Unit, focused on safe operations of two- and three-wheelers; and the County Parking Unit, which will oversee parking enforcement and eliminate illegal practices.
To operationalize the MEU, the county government has approved the deployment of 360 enforcement officers drawn from existing county resources to avoid extra costs to taxpayers. The centralized model is designed to enhance operational efficiency, improve urban mobility, and support Nairobi’s economic growth while advancing environmental sustainability. Governor Sakaja noted that the initiative reflects his administration’s commitment to restoring order to Nairobi’s transport system and ensuring residents move through the city safely and efficiently. As implementation begins, the MEU is expected to play a crucial role in reshaping Nairobi’s mobility landscape—transforming one of Africa’s busiest capitals into a model of structured, sustainable urban transport.