By Patricia Mollyne Mataga
Several Nairobians were on Tuesday arrested for failing to adhere to traffic laws as far as the use of footbridges and walkways is concerned.
An update by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) indicates that the arrests were made following an operation conducted in several parts of the city.
Those arrested have been detained. They were expected to be arraigned in court to face traffic-related charges.
NTSA while issuing the update asked pedestrians to observe traffic rules.
“Pedestrians must use available footbridges, walkways and other designated crossing points to ensure their safety,” NTSA said in a post on their verified X handle.
“This morning, several pedestrians who failed to obey traffic rules were detained. To avoid any inconveniences, we urge pedestrians to observe traffic rules,” it added.
Nairobi has several footbridges but there have been concerns that pedestrians do not use them.
Instead, they prefer crossing the road, putting their lives and those of other road users at risk.
A few months ago, Nairobi County Woman Member of Parliament Esther Passaris had called for the arrest of individuals who ignore footbridges.
“It is sad that there is a footbridge and you don’t want to use it. This is insane, we have to be calm and orderly, it is so important, we go to church every Sunday but we have no order,” the County Woman MP said.
Latest data from NTSA indicate that of the total deaths reported as a result of road accidents, pedestrians were leading at 252, compared with 190 recorded last year.
As of the end of February 2024, 649 people had lost their lives in road accidents within two months.
NTSA statistics are for the traffic data from January 1 to February 20. It shows that the number of deaths has increased compared to the same period in 2023.
623 lost their lives during the same period in 2023.