The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) on Thursday stepped up its crackdown on pedestrians who ignore designated footbridges, arresting 45 people for crossing the road instead of using the Nyayo Stadium footbridge in Nairobi.
NTSA said the arrests followed an enforcement operation that targeted individuals who cross busy highways at undesignated points, even though a footbridge had been provided.
The accused were arraigned in court under the Traffic Act (Cap. 403), which bars pedestrians from crossing roads at undesignated locations or from obstructing traffic.
NTSA said the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety and reduce pedestrian deaths on Kenyan roads. It noted that pedestrians account for about 38% of all road traffic fatalities in the country, making them the largest group of road users killed in crashes.
Second Crackdown in Two Days
The Thursday crackdown came two days after NTSA arrested and arraigned 22 pedestrians accused of failing to use the Allsops footbridge along Thika Road. The authority said those pedestrians were also charged with obstructing the free flow of traffic after crossing the highway instead of using the designated pedestrian crossing facility.
The NTSA, the National Police Service (NPS) and the Nairobi City County government are conducting the enforcement exercise jointly.
“The Authority, in collaboration with the National Police Service and the Nairobi City County, will continue educating pedestrians on safe road use,” NTSA said.
Road safety advocates say pedestrians’ persistent habit of ignoring footbridges and crossing busy highways at street level has become a major concern in Kenya. They warn that the behaviour contributes to preventable accidents and fatalities, even though the government has invested billions of shillings in building pedestrian footbridges along major roads.
NTSA said its ongoing enforcement campaign combines arrests with public education to promote safer road use and improve compliance with traffic regulations. The authority urged pedestrians to consistently use the footbridges and designated crossings available to them, warning that failing to do so endangers lives and also attracts legal consequences.
Under the Traffic (Minor Offences) Rules, NTSA said pedestrians convicted of crossing at undesignated points face fines starting from Sh500, although courts can impose higher penalties depending on the circumstances.
