Hundreds of pedestrians have been arrested across Nairobi for ignoring a footbridge as the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), working with the National Police Service and Nairobi City County, intensifies enforcement against unsafe road crossings.
The operation has focused on high-traffic areas including Allsops along Thika Superhighway, Nyayo Stadium on Mombasa Road, the Buruburu–Mutindwa section, Pangani and General Motors. By the end of July 2026, NTSA said at least 250 pedestrians had been arraigned in Nairobi.
The crackdown follows concerns over road safety after NTSA reported that pedestrians accounted for about 38% of all road traffic crash victims in Kenya as of June 30, 2026.
Footbridge Charges and Penalties Under the Traffic Act
Despite widespread references to “jaywalking,” Kenyan law does not recognize such an offense. Instead, those arrested are charged under Sections 90(2)(c) and 94 of the Traffic Act (Cap. 403) together with the Traffic (Minor Offenses) Rules, 2016 (Legal Notice No. 161 of 2016).
The charges relate to willfully obstructing the free passage of vehicles, particularly where pedestrians cross busy roads in a manner that interferes with traffic movement despite the availability of designated crossing infrastructure.
“No person shall do any of the following on a road … wilfully obstruct the free passage of persons or vehicles passing along the road,” the Act states.
The penalties section says a person who contravenes that Part is liable to a fine. The 2016 minor offenses schedule specifically links Section 90(2)(c) and 94 to “Pedestrian willfully obstructing the free passage of vehicles” with a fine of KSh 500 in the schedule cited by NTSA summaries.
However, under the ongoing enforcement operation, suspects are generally arrested and presented before court rather than being issued with on-the-spot penalties.
Depending on the circumstances of each case, courts have imposed fines ranging from KSh500 to KSh5,000.
What the Law Says About Footbridges
The law does not expressly state that pedestrians must always use a footbridge. However, it prohibits conduct that willfully obstructs traffic or creates unnecessary danger to other road users.
Also Read: How Kenyans Are Evading NTSA Speed Cameras
According to NTSA, crossing beneath or beside a footbridge, or attempting to cross a busy dual carriageway away from designated crossing points, increases the risk of collisions by forcing motorists to brake suddenly or swerve.
“The authority urges pedestrians to use designated footbridges/crossings at all times as crossing in undesignated areas not only endangers their lives but also puts other road users at risk and disrupts traffic,” NTSA said in a statement.
The authority says the enforcement forms part of its “Steps to Zero Pedestrian Deaths” campaign, which combines public education with enforcement to reduce pedestrian fatalities and encourage the use of designated crossing points.
Nairobi Hotspots Where Pedestrians Risk Arrest
NTSA has intensified enforcement against pedestrians who cross busy roads outside designated crossing points, with fresh operations conducted on August 4 at the Mutindwa footbridge in Buruburu.
In an update, the authority said the joint operation targeted pedestrians who failed to use the footbridge and instead crossed the road in a manner that obstructed the free flow of traffic.
Also Read: NTSA Announces Nationwide Crackdown on Highways and All Major Roads
The authority confirmed that several offenders were arrested during the operation and are expected to be arraigned at Makadara Law Courts.
“Joint pedestrian enforcement is currently underway at Mutindwa footbridge, Buruburu, targeting pedestrians who fail to use the footbridge and obstruct the free flow of traffic. Several offenders have been arrested and are expected to be arraigned in Makadara Law Courts,” NTSA said.
NTSA urged pedestrians to always use designated footbridges and other approved crossing points, warning that crossing in undesignated areas endangers lives, disrupts traffic flow and increases the risk of road crashes.
The hotspot areas where NTSA has targeted pedestrians ignoring footbridges include:
- Allsops Footbridge
- Nyayo Stadium
- Pangani Footbridge
- Mutindwa/Buruburu Interchange
- GM (General Motors)
- Fedha
- Kariobangi
- Fig Tree (Ngara)
- Muthurwa
- University Way
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