The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has responded after a viral video showed a motorist driving on a pedestrian walkway at Allsops in Nairobi, sparking public outrage and raising new concerns over pedestrian safety.
The clip, widely shared on social media on February 11, shows a matatu (KCA 527T) forcing its way through a pedestrian walkway as one man stands firm, refusing to move aside.
In the video seen by The Kenya Times, the man confronts the driver, complaining about the danger of the driver’s actions and stating that he has no hurry to get to his destination.
The incident occurred during peak hours at the busy Allsops junction, a traffic-heavy area.
Witnesses said the motorist left the road and joined the walkway to beat the traffic snarl-up.
Pedestrians using the path were forced to step aside as the vehicle pushed through.
NTSA to pusue SACCO
In response, NTSA acknowledged the incident and confirmed that enforcement officers had begun reviewing the video to identify the vehicle and the driver.
“Our attention is drawn to the unfortunate incident that puts pedestrians lives at risk and damages road infrastructure. We will follow up with the Sacco and update the public on the actions taken,” read the statement by NTSA.
The authority said it treats such cases seriously because pedestrian safety remains one of the biggest challenges on Kenyan roads.
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NTSA added that motorists who use spaces reserved for pedestrians commit a traffic offence and risk losing their licences once identified.
Kenyans Express Disappointment
The video has triggered a wave of comments online calling for immediate action.
Kenyans demanded that authorities arrest the driver and enforce strict penalties against motorists who endanger pedestrians.
“You judge a country by its people. A First World is not a place you build. It is a thing you become. It starts from the inside. The shiny thing are a final result. It is sad no one joined the man,” said one concerned Kenyan.
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Similar scenes to the Allsops scenario have happened before, especially during rush hour, and has led to increased calls for permanent solutions such as installing bollards, increasing police presence, and redesigning the footpath barriers.
Rising Pedestrian Casualties in Nairobi
Kenya has started 2026 with a sharp increase in road deaths, with 398 people killed between January 1 and January 30, up 11% from about 358 in January 2025.
Pedestrians were the largest share at 143 deaths in that single month, followed by 102 motorcyclists, 77 passengers, and 38 drivers.
Nairobi continues to record the highest number of road deaths in the country.
By October 31, 2025, Nairobi recorded 447 road deaths, the highest county toll, with NTSA reporting a persistent danger for people on foot in dense urban corridors.
NTSA data shows that 26% of all fatal crashes in Nairobi occur between 7 pm and 10 pm, when visibility is low, and speeds are higher.
Both NTSA and the NPS highlight speeding, improper overtaking, lane indiscipline, and dangerous nighttime driving as primary causes of crashes.
Nairobi’s traffic congestion encourages shortcuts, including driving on shoulders, in walkways, or in the wrong lanes, which increase pedestrian-vehicle conflicts.
Motorcyclists are the second‑largest casualty group nationwide, with 102 motorcyclist deaths in January 2026, second only to pedestrians.
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