Kenya: NTSA Arrests 23 Pedestrians for Failing to Use Designated Thika Road Footbridge

What the report says

Kenya’s National Transport and Safety Authority has arrested 23 pedestrians in Nairobi for allegedly crossing Thika Superhighway outside a designated crossing point, according to a report distributed by AllAfrica from Capital FM. The arrests took place during a joint enforcement operation at the Fig Tree Footbridge along Thika Superhighway, where officials said the pedestrians ignored the footbridge and used unsafe crossing points instead.

NTSA said the individuals will be taken to court, reflecting a firmer enforcement approach around major highways where pedestrian facilities already exist. The agency warned that crossing at unauthorized points endangers pedestrians, motorists and other road users, and can disrupt traffic flow. The operation is part of a wider campaign conducted with the National Police Service to push compliance with road safety rules.

The report said similar crackdowns have recently taken place at other busy locations in Nairobi, including Thika Road, the Eastern Bypass, Pipeline-Transami, Buruburu and near Nyayo Stadium. It also noted that more than 50 pedestrians were arrested in an earlier operation at the Allsops footbridge on Thika Road. The broader context is Kenya’s long-running road safety challenge, especially for pedestrians on high-speed urban highways where unsafe crossings can have serious consequences. The article also pointed to public concerns about footbridge accessibility and maintenance, though NTSA maintains that pedestrians should use the crossings provided.