Government's decision to declare Wednesdays and Saturdays as car-free days in Nairobi central business district beginning next month has attracted opposition from Kenyans and civil society groups.

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) are among organizations that have termed the move as impractical and illogical.

Speaking to Business Daily, FKE executive director Jacqueline Mugo says the directive is ambiguous and that the government didn't conduct public participation before arriving at the move.

“The idea is good. However, Nairobi does not have a workable public transport system. Workers can’t cycle in the city. We don’t have that culture,” Ms. Mugo says.

On his part, LSK President Allen Gichuhi says the government should have engaged all stakeholders before giving the directive, which he says is likely to be quashed by the court.

In a tweet, the Consumers Federation of Kenya (Cofek) has also expressed similar sentiments saying: "The decision by the @TransportKE to set aside car-free days in Nairobi CBD from February 1 requires public participation and its unnecessary given that the move doesn't amount to decongestion of traffic. @JamesMacharia and @MikeSonko should be more innovative.”

Ainabkoi MP William Chepkut says: “Car-free days are effected in cities that have the subway, metro lines, bike lanes, and bike parks, mass bus transport systems and some have waterways serving their CBDs...”.

Lawyer Paul Muite tweets:" Closing two or three roads say Koinange & Moi adequate; closing entire CBD impractical, ill thought through."

While announcing the move on Monday, Transport and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary James Macharia said that during the two car-free days, hawkers will be allowed to sell their goods in the vehicles' parking lots and streets within the city center.