Dr Eng. John Mativo has challenged the introduction of a 30 km/h speed limit on Likoni Road outside the NTSA Likoni Road Inspection Centre. The former Managing Director of KETRACO described road speed limits as engineering design principles rather than arbitrary numbers.
Dr Mativo urged engineers at NTSA and KURA to share the design calculations and assumptions that led to the 30 km/h limit. He also questioned the installation of a makeshift speed limit sign on a pedestrian footpath.
Dr Mativo argued that the sign does not comply with the Ministry of Roads and Transport’s Road Design Manual and Traffic Signs Manual. He noted that it falls short of the prescribed minimum vertical clearance of 2.2 metres above pedestrian footways and the required horizontal clearance from the carriageway.
His comments come as some motorists report receiving speed violation notifications for exceeding the 30 km/h limit on the road section. The issue has sparked discussion among engineers and road users on the appropriateness of the speed restriction.
Likoni Road is a busy urban corridor in Nairobi. Speed limits on such roads are intended to improve safety particularly near inspection centres and pedestrian areas.
The Road Design Manual provides guidelines for setting speed limits based on road function, geometry and surrounding land use. Proper signage placement is also critical for compliance and safety.
Dr Mativo’s intervention highlights the role of professional engineers in road safety decisions. His call for transparency in design assumptions has resonated with many in the construction community.
NTSA and KURA regularly review speed limits to reduce accidents. Data from NTSA shows excessive speed contributes to many fatal crashes.
The Likoni Road case adds to conversations on urban road design in Kenya. Engineers advocate for context sensitive solutions that balance safety, mobility and enforcement.
Motorists using the affected section have been advised to observe posted limits while the debate continues.
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