Twenty-two pedestrians have been arrested and taken to court after allegedly crossing a busy section of road instead of using the Allsops footbridge, as authorities step up efforts to curb pedestrian fatalities on Kenyan roads.
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) announced the arrests on Tuesday, saying the operation forms part of a broader campaign to improve road safety and enforce compliance with traffic regulations.
According to the authority, the suspects were accused of obstructing the free flow of traffic by crossing the highway outside the designated pedestrian crossing.
NTSA said it is carrying out the operation in collaboration with the National Police Service (NPS) and the Nairobi City County government.
The agencies are not only enforcing the law but also conducting public awareness campaigns aimed at encouraging pedestrians to use footbridges and other designated crossing points.
The latest enforcement drive comes against the backdrop of growing concern over the number of pedestrians killed or injured on Kenya's roads.
According to NTSA, pedestrians accounted for 38 per cent of all road traffic crashes recorded by June 30, 2026, making them the single largest group affected by road accidents.
The authority said the figures underscore the need for greater compliance with road safety rules by both motorists and pedestrians.
While footbridges have been constructed at several high-risk locations to improve safety, many pedestrians continue to cross highways directly, often weaving through fast-moving traffic.
Road safety experts have long argued that enforcement should be accompanied by public education and improved infrastructure to encourage safer behaviour.
NTSA has maintained that reducing pedestrian deaths will require a combination of stricter enforcement, awareness campaigns and cooperation from all road users.
The authority urged pedestrians to use designated crossings at all times, warning that ignoring traffic rules not only puts lives at risk but may also result in legal action.