Thirty-five pedestrians were detained in Buruburu, Nairobi, for failing to use the designated footbridge when crossing the busy Buruburu Interchange, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) confirmed.
The arrests are part of an intensified NTSA crackdown on unsafe pedestrian behaviour aimed at improving road safety and easing traffic flow. According to the authority, crossing roads outside designated points endangers lives and obstructs traffic.
Enforcement and Court Proceedings
NTSA stated that all individuals apprehended will be arraigned in court to face charges related to the offence.
"Enforcement operations at Buruburu Interchange, targeting pedestrians who fail to use the designated footbridge while crossing the road, are ongoing. A total of 35 pedestrians have been arrested for failing to use the footbridge, thereby obstructing the free flow of traffic. The offenders will be arraigned in court to face the charges," the authority said.
Broader Campaign Against Unsafe Crossing
This latest operation follows a similar crackdown at the Allsops area, where 22 pedestrians were arrested for ignoring a footbridge just days earlier. The NTSA, working alongside the National Police Service and Nairobi City County, launched a nationwide campaign to promote safe pedestrian practices.
The campaign, branded #StepsToZeroPedestrianDeaths, combines public education, improved infrastructure, and targeted enforcement in high-risk zones to reduce pedestrian fatalities.
Pedestrian Safety Concerns
- Pedestrians account for 38% of all road traffic crashes as of June 2026.
- Road accidents impose significant human and economic costs, estimated at 5% of Kenya's GDP annually.
- NTSA urges all pedestrians to use footbridges and designated crossings to minimize risks and disruptions.
"Ending pedestrian fatalities requires concerted efforts from everyone. We call upon all stakeholders to play their part," NTSA emphasized.
