Thousands of pedestrian lives could be saved annually with simple improvements to Nairobi’s footbridges, yet many Nairobians continue to risk their lives by crossing busy roads due to the state of abandoned and unsafe footbridges.
These vital structures, which were initially designed to protect pedestrians, have instead become hotspots for criminal activity, hawkers, and street families.
As a result, pedestrians are forced to navigate busy streets, exposing themselves to grave danger.
In areas like Muthurwa Market, two footbridges stand as stark symbols of neglect.
Originally built to ensure safe passage across one of Nairobi’s busiest roads, these bridges have been overtaken by street families who use them as toilets and shelters, with human waste scattered across the floors and unbearable stench filling the air.
Commuters, wary of the unsanitary conditions and lack of lighting, often choose to risk their lives by crossing the roads below instead.
“I pass through this area daily, and I have witnessed several accidents involving pedestrians,” says Justus Kongu, a matatu operator.
“The footbridge over there is so filthy and has turned into a public latrine. It’s uninhabitable.”
Pedestrians like Maina Wanjohi are also frustrated. “The bridge is dirty and unsafe, so people are forced to walk on the road,” he adds.
The situation is alarming. According to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), 1,578 pedestrians lost their lives in traffic accidents between January and November 2024, with Nairobi recording the highest number of fatalities at 261 deaths.
The World Health Organization (WHO) attributes a significant portion of road deaths in Africa to preventable causes, citing inadequate road safety measures as a major factor.
Kenya, like many African nations, lacks comprehensive laws that address key road safety risks, including speeding, drunk driving, and failure to wear seat belts.
While the state of Nairobi’s footbridges is concerning, residents also point out that some structures are poorly located, making them impractical for many pedestrians.
“The footbridge only leads into the market, so if I don’t need to go there, what am I supposed to do?” asks Mwangi Kamau, another pedestrian. “It’s dirty, and not safe to use.”
Although some footbridges along Mombasa Road are better maintained, people still risk crossing the road illegally, citing distance and inconvenience as their main reasons for avoiding the bridges.
Many feel that the enforcement of crossing rules is lax, which contributes to the high number of fatalities.
The Kenya Traffic Act mandates pedestrians to use designated crossing points, but enforcement is often lacking.
NTSA Director for Road Safety, Andrew Kiplagat, acknowledges the issues and stresses the importance of personal responsibility among pedestrians.
“People say they’re in a hurry or that the footbridges are dirty, but these are the facilities available to ensure safety.
The cleanliness, lighting, and other issues need to be addressed,” he explains.
In areas like General Motors Stage and Outering Road, pedestrians often wait for long periods to use the footbridges, choosing instead to cross dangerously under the bridge or risk their lives on the road.
“I’ve seen people wait for over 10 minutes to cross the road, even though the footbridge is just a few minutes away,” Kiplagat adds.
Experts suggest that a safer approach to road management would involve segregating pedestrian lanes from motor vehicle lanes, though this approach has been hindered by vandalism.
An example of this is the Eastern Bypass, where protective barriers meant to keep pedestrians safe were removed, leading to dangerous crossings.
In response to the increasing number of fatalities, President William Ruto launched a Road Safety Action Plan in April, aiming to reduce road deaths by 50%.
Meanwhile, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KENHA) has begun installing lighting on footbridges along Mombasa Road, hoping to improve safety for nighttime commuters.
However, the urgent needs of areas like Muthurwa Market call for immediate action by the County Government.
Residents in these areas say that the footbridges are rarely cleaned, and it can take weeks for basic maintenance to be carried out.
“The footbridge is taken over by street dwellers and hawkers, and when it gets dark, no one wants to use it, especially women,” says Mwangi Kamau.
While the government has laid out traffic laws, NTSA continues to emphasize the need for greater public awareness and enforcement of pedestrian safety rules.
“We will continue to sensitize the public and enforce laws to ensure safer crossings,” Kiplagat says.
Ultimately, the condition of footbridges across Nairobi is a matter of life and death.
Simple, cost-effective solutions like regular cleaning, proper lighting, and stricter control over hawkers and street families can drastically reduce the risk to pedestrians.
Addressing these issues can save countless lives and make Nairobi’s streets safer for all.
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