The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has stepped up its campaign against pedestrians crossing roads at undesignated points, carrying out a fresh enforcement operation at the Pipeline Transami footbridge in Nairobi that resulted in several arrests.

The operation, conducted jointly with the National Police Service on Monday, targeted people who allegedly ignored the footbridge and crossed the busy highway, an offence the authority says endangers lives and disrupts traffic flow.

Video shared by NTSA showed police officers escorting those arrested to a waiting police vehicle before they were taken for processing ahead of their expected arraignment in court.

In a statement, the authority said the operation forms part of its wider effort to improve compliance with road safety regulations and reduce pedestrian-related crashes.

"Joint pedestrian enforcement currently underway at Pipeline Transami footbridge targeting pedestrians who fail to use the footbridge and obstruct the free flow of traffic. The offenders are expected to be arraigned in court this morning," NTSA said.

The authority urged pedestrians to use designated footbridges and marked crossing points whenever they are available.

"Crossing in undesignated areas not only endangers their lives but also puts other road users at risk and disrupts traffic," the statement added.

The latest operation builds on a citywide enforcement campaign launched on July 20.

During an earlier operation, NTSA Assistant Director Brenda Sawe said the authority had arrested at least 250 pedestrians across Nairobi since the crackdown began. She noted that 40 people had initially been detained during one day's operation before the figure was later revised to 51.

"Today we've arrested a total of 40 pedestrians who failed to use the footbridge, and this exercise is going to continue. We started it around the 20th of July; so far, up to today we've arrested 250 and have been presented to court," Sawe said at the time.

Under Kenya's Traffic Act, pedestrians who fail to use designated crossing facilities may face fines ranging from Sh500 to Sh5,000 or prosecution for wilfully obstructing the free flow of traffic.

The enforcement campaign has focused on several high-risk locations in Nairobi, including Allsops, Buruburu, Nyayo Stadium and Pipeline, areas where authorities say many pedestrians continue to cross roads despite the presence of footbridges.

NTSA says the operations are informed by road safety data showing that pedestrians account for nearly 38 per cent of road traffic fatalities in Kenya, making them the largest group of road users killed in crashes.

The authority argues that many of these deaths could be prevented through greater use of designated crossing points and footbridges.

However, some pedestrians have questioned the approach, citing challenges such as poorly maintained footbridges, insecurity, commercial encroachment by hawkers and the difficulty elderly people or those carrying heavy loads face when climbing long staircases.

Despite those concerns, NTSA says the enforcement exercise will continue alongside public education campaigns aimed at improving pedestrian safety and encouraging compliance with traffic regulations.