KeNHA Moves to Reclaim Footbridges from Hawkers and Street Families

The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has launched a bold, nationwide operation to reclaim footbridges and underpasses. The exercise, which began along the Ruiru–Thika stretch, aims to restore safety and order to pedestrian crossings increasingly taken over by hawkers and street families.

For years, footbridges across the country have lost their intended purpose. Once safe passageways, they have become crowded, informal markets or makeshift shelters. This often forces pedestrians to ignore the structures, opting instead to dash across busy highways. This risky behavior has contributed to a rise in road accidents and fatalities, many of which were avoidable.

According to KeNHA, the clearance is about saving lives. Pedestrian safety is a major challenge on Kenyan roads, especially along busy highways like Thika Road, Mombasa Road, and Waiyaki Way. When people cross at undesignated points, they face speeding vehicles and chaotic traffic. By restoring access to footbridges, the authority hopes to significantly reduce these dangers.

Footbridges are a necessity. A blocked bridge can force workers into dangerous alternatives, delay them, and even affect their daily wages. By making these structures safe and accessible, KeNHA directly improves the daily lives of thousands of workers who rely on them for safe passage.

Beyond construction workers, the initiative benefits millions of Kenyans who use footbridges on a daily basis. Schoolchildren, parents with young children, the elderly, and people with disabilities are among the most vulnerable when bridges are blocked. Restoring these spaces means making mobility fairer and safer for everyone.

The exercise has not been without controversy. For many hawkers, these high-traffic areas are their lifeline. Being forced out raises difficult questions about economic survival. The informal sector employs a significant portion of Kenya’s population, and while public order is essential, the livelihoods of traders cannot be ignored. This highlights a deeper urban challenge: how can cities strike a balance between safety and supporting the informal economy? It is also prudent to remember that small businesses on the footbridges increase pedestrian safety from muggers. Lonely footbridges are never safe when the night falls. Will they finally start ensuring that all footbridges have security lighting at least?

Urban planners and policymakers suggest solutions could include creating designated market spaces near transport hubs, offering relocation options for traders, or developing programs that support alternative livelihoods. Without such interventions, the cycle of eviction and return may continue.

Nevertheless, the clearance marks a step in the right direction. Safe and accessible footbridges will help reduce road accidents, ease congestion, and promote smoother urban mobility. For the mjengo community, whose daily labor helps build the nation’s infrastructure, the operation sends a strong message: their safety matters just as much as the roads, bridges, and buildings they help construct.

Ultimately, reclaiming public spaces is about respect for shared infrastructure. Footbridges are public investments, meant to serve the common good. When they are misused, everyone pays the price. KeNHA’s operation is a reminder that creating and maintaining order in public spaces is essential to building safer, more efficient, and more inclusive cities. By restoring footbridges to their rightful use, the authority is not only preventing accidents but also paving the way for a future where urban growth works for all Kenyans.

Let us wait and see if their efforts will bear fruit.