National Transport and Safety Authority arrest pedestrians ignoring to use designated footbridge along Pipeline in Nairobi on August 3, 2026/ SCREENGRABThe National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has intensified its crackdown on pedestrians who fail to use designated footbridges, with a fresh enforcement operation targeting road users crossing at undesignated points along the Pipeline Transami footbridge in Nairobi.
The joint operation, conducted on Monday alongside the National Police Service, saw several pedestrians arrested after they were allegedly found crossing the busy highway instead of using the available footbridge.
In a video shared by the authority, police officers are seen escorting those arrested to a waiting police vehicle before they were taken for processing ahead of their expected arraignment in court.
According to NTSA, the operation is aimed at improving compliance with road safety regulations and reducing pedestrian-related crashes.
"Joint pedestrian enforcement currently underway at Pipeline Transami footbridge targeting pedestrians who fail to use the footbridge and obstructing free flow of traffic. The offenders are expected to be arraigned in court this morning," the authority said.
NTSA urged pedestrians to use designated footbridges and crossing points whenever they are available.
"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," it said.
The latest arrests come as the authority continues a citywide enforcement campaign that began on July 20.
Speaking during a recent operation, NTSA Assistant Director Brenda Sawe said at least 250 pedestrians had been arrested in Nairobi since the crackdown began for failing to use designated footbridges.
"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.
The authority later updated that day's arrests to 51 pedestrians.
Under the Traffic Act, pedestrians who fail to use designated crossing facilities risk fines ranging from Sh500 to Sh5,000 or prosecution for wilfully obstructing the free flow of traffic.
The enforcement campaign has so far targeted several high-risk locations across Nairobi, including Allsops, Buruburu, Nyayo Stadium and now Pipeline, where pedestrians have frequently been found crossing roads at undesignated points despite the availability of footbridges.
NTSA says the operations are informed by road safety data showing that pedestrians account for nearly 38 per cent of all road traffic fatalities in Kenya, making them the single largest category of road users killed in crashes.
The authority has maintained that many of these deaths are preventable if pedestrians consistently use footbridges and designated crossing points.
However, compliance has also been complicated by concerns over the condition, accessibility and security of some footbridges in Nairobi.
Some pedestrians have cited commercial encroachment by hawkers, fears of crime, poor maintenance, unpleasant conditions and the long walking distances to some crossing points as reasons for avoiding the structures. Elderly people and those carrying heavy loads have also raised concerns over climbing long flights of stairs.
Despite those challenges, NTSA insists the enforcement exercise will continue alongside public education campaigns aimed at changing pedestrian behaviour and improving safety on Kenyan roads.
