KeNHA launches drive to clear footbridges, underpasses of street families and hawkers
The highways body stressed that it is committed to protecting lives, saying the clearance of the structures was a necessary step to curb accidents and restore order on major roads.
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has begun a nationwide exercise to reclaim footbridges and underpasses that have been taken over by hawkers and street families.
The authority explained that the move is meant to restore the original purpose of the facilities, which is to provide safe passage for pedestrians and reduce accidents on busy roads.
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According to the statement issued on Friday, September 19, 2025, KeNHA said many people have been forced to avoid the footbridges because they are congested or blocked, leaving them with no choice but to cross highways directly.
This, the authority warned, has exposed pedestrians to unnecessary danger and caused deaths that could have been prevented.
“Footbridges are designed to provide safe, efficient, and often pleasant passage for pedestrians free from any obstacles and encumbrances. Unfortunately, most footbridges along the highways are now unfeasible to use due to encroachment by hawkers and street families. This compels pedestrians to cross in undesignated areas, which has often resulted in tragic accidents,” KeNHA stated.
The authority announced that the operation kicked off along the Ruiru–Thika section of the Thika Superhighway before spreading to other parts of the country.
The exercise is being undertaken jointly with county administrations, the National Government Administrative Officers, the police, the Axle Load Enforcement Unit, and KeNHA’s Corridor C team.
Part of the plan, KeNHA added, involves not only removing the encroachments but also cleaning and improving the state of footbridges and underpasses to make them more accessible and safe for users.
“In a bid to deter any further loss of life, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has launched an operation to clear all footbridges and underpasses of any hawkers and street families, as well as clean them. This countrywide exercise has started along the Ruiru - Thika section of the Thika Superhighway,” KeNHA said.
“The exercise is being conducted in collaboration with the National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO), County Governments, National Police Service, Axle Load Enforcement Unit (ALEHU) and the KeNHA Corridor C team. The Authority remains steadfast in her dedication to road safety, safeguarding road reserves, and ensuring the safety of all road users,” the authority added.
The highways body stressed that it is committed to protecting lives, saying the clearance of the structures was a necessary step to curb accidents and restore order on major roads.
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