Pedestrians used to access the Kencom stage through the road before it was closed and traffic diverted to Moi Avenue.
Since 2013 when the deal was sealed, the road has been reserved for VIPs and the hotel’s guests.
Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) Transport Director Michael Ochieng disclosed that the decision to hand over the road to Hilton Hotel was made in consideration of the heightened insecurity then.
“The barriers across the lane were put before Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) came in. It was when there were a series of terrorist attacks in the country and five-star hotels in the city became key strategic targets because of being frequented by foreigners, especially Caucasians.
The lane is not part of the Hilton Hotel but they have been allowed to control it since it accesses the hotel. Passing close to that hotel makes occupants vulnerable to any attack. And when a terrorist attack happens, it will affect everyone even those not in the hotel,” he said.
The debate had dragged on for years online, with pedestrians and residents accusing the county of bias who lamented that they were being blocked from using a public space.
The engineer advised them to use alternative roads in the city, adding that the lane was rarely used by PSVs and private vehicles before.
In December 2020, Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja also raised concerns after a security check was installed on a road leading up to Nairobi Arboretum. He raised the matter with NMS Director Mohamed Badi.
“The Nairobi Arboretum is a public space that many Nairobians enjoy.
“The road leading up to it is also a public road. A private entity has put up a barrier on this public road where members of the public are screened,” he stated.
Source: KENYAGIST.COM
