The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has launched a major operation to remove hawkers and street families from pedestrian footbridges along busy highways. The move is part of efforts to improve road safety and restore the bridges to their intended purpose , providing safe crossing points for pedestrians.
According to KeNHA, many of the footbridges in Nairobi and other major towns have been taken over by traders, beggars, and homeless families. This has forced pedestrians to avoid the footbridges and instead cross roads at dangerous points, exposing them to accidents.
KeNHA officials explained that the operation is not meant to punish vulnerable groups but to ensure that the footbridges remain safe, clean, and accessible. “The safety of pedestrians is our priority. When bridges are blocked, people end up running across highways, and this leads to unnecessary loss of lives,” a spokesperson said.
The authority has been working with law enforcement officers to remove traders and street families while urging county governments to provide alternative spaces for hawkers. Social welfare agencies have also been asked to support street families who will be displaced during the clean-up.
For years, road safety experts have raised concerns about the misuse of pedestrian bridges. Reports from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) show that a significant number of road accidents involving pedestrians occur because people avoid footbridges. Instead, they cross highways directly, often resulting in fatal accidents.
In 2023, NTSA reported that more than 1,500 pedestrians died in road accidents, making them the most vulnerable group of road users. Authorities believe that keeping footbridges clear of obstructions will go a long way in reducing such numbers.
While the operation has been welcomed by some road users, others argue that it could affect livelihoods. Hawkers who operate on footbridges say they have no other spaces to trade, and removing them means losing their only source of income. However, KeNHA insists that order must be maintained and that pedestrian safety cannot be compromised.
The authority has also promised to improve lighting, security, and general cleanliness on the bridges so that more people feel safe using them. “Clearing the footbridges is just one step. We want people to use them comfortably, both during the day and at night,” officials added.
The exercise, which began in Nairobi, is expected to extend to other towns across the country in the coming weeks. KeNHA has urged the public to cooperate with the enforcement teams and make use of pedestrian facilities provided for their safety.
In the end, the clean-up seeks to strike a balance between maintaining safety and addressing the needs of vulnerable groups. Authorities say they will continue engaging stakeholders to ensure both goals are met without unnecessary confrontation.
PHOTO COURTESY OF KeNHA
