The Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) has launched nationwide crackdown to clear street families and hawkers from footbridges and underpasses.

This operation comes after Transport Cabinet Secretary (CS) David Chirchir formulated policy to improve key safety measure to enhance road safety.

According to KeNHA, most footbridges are occupied by street families and hawkers forcing pedestrians to use undesignated areas which have resulted to more accidents.

“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.

This latest directive was championed by KeNHA’s Acting Director General, Luka Kimeli, in a meeting with Regional and Corridor Directors on the sidelines of the National Safety Conference in Mombasa.

Additionally, the Director in charge of Maintenance, Ezekiel Fukwo and Kimeli instructed the directors to personally be on the forefront in executing the CS’s orders.

KeNHA Starts Cleaning Operation

KeNHA started countrywide cleaning operation along Ruiru- Thika superhighway.

The crackdown is partnered with the National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO), County Governments, National Police Service and Axle Load Enforcement Unit (ALEHU).

“This countrywide exercise has started off along the Ruiru – Thika section of the Thika Superhighway,” said KeNHA.

The Authority said it remains steadfast in its dedication to road safety, safeguarding road reserves, and ensuring safety of all road users.

What Transport CS David Chirchir About Road Safety

The CS spoke during a three-day Inter-Agency Road Safety Conversation forum in Mombasa said he will be seeking a supplementary budget to repair road bumps.

According to Chirchir, it’s their mandate as officials in transport sector to safeguard the lives of many breadwinners who are perishing on the roads everyday.

“What we could do as road agencies is to ensure we discuss the budget for signage and widening and redesigning all black spots. Sometimes you see bumps cause accidents or prevent the. So let us ensure that we provide a budget for widening black spots instead of waiting until there is another accident and we just visit the victims at the hospitals,” said Chirchir.

A Photo of a footbridge. PHOTO/ KeNHA X Account