NTSA Intensifies Footbridge Crackdown, 250+ Pedestrians Arraigned

NTSA has arrested over 250 pedestrians in Nairobi since late July for crossing highways at undesignated points instead of using footbridges.

Km100

11 August 2026 2 Min Read

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CN Quick Facts

NTSA, working jointly with the National Police Service and Nairobi City County, has run enforcement operations at Allsops, Pipeline-Transami, Buruburu-Mutindwa, Nyayo Stadium, Pangani, and most recently the Eastern Bypass
Over 250 pedestrians had been arraigned in Nairobi courts by early August, according to NTSA Assistant Director Brenda Sawe
Offenders are charged under Sections 90(2)(c) and 94 of the Traffic Act, not a standalone “jaywalking” offence, which does not exist in Kenyan law
Fines range from KSh 500 to KSh 5,000, depending on the court’s determination
Pedestrians accounted for 836 of Kenya’s 2,150 road deaths in H1 2026, the single largest category of road traffic fatalities

Why is NTSA cracking down on footbridge use?

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has launched an enforcement campaign in response to the high number of pedestrian deaths, which account for the largest share of road fatalities in Kenya. This campaign, which began around the 20th of July, targets individuals who wilfully obstruct traffic and create unnecessary dangers. While Kenyan law does not explicitly prohibit pedestrians from crossing the road outside of designated footbridges, it does criminalise actions that compromise the safety and flow of traffic.

On the 10th of August, a recent operation took place in the GSU Training School area along the Eastern Bypass, following earlier sweeps that resulted in 51 arrests at Allsops, along with many more at Pipeline-Transami and Nyayo Stadium. The NTSA has stated that this campaign will continue until there is an improvement in compliance with traffic regulations.

What’s Next?

The crackdown has drawn criticism online, with some road users pointing to footbridges overtaken by hawkers, poor lighting, and security concerns as reasons pedestrians avoid them in the first place. CarNews KE will continue tracking the enforcement campaign and any response from NTSA on footbridge conditions.

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💬 Do you think stricter enforcement is the right approach, or should NTSA fix footbridge conditions first? Share your view in the CarTalk KE Forum, or follow CarNews KE for more News Alert updates.

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