The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has launched a nationwide operation to remove hawkers and street families from footbridges and underpasses in a move aimed at enhancing pedestrian safety.

In a statement released on Saturday, KeNHA said the exercise was prompted by increased safety concerns, noting that many footbridges along major highways had become nearly unusable due to encroachment.

“Footbridges are designed to provide safe, efficient and pleasant passage for pedestrians free from any obstacles and encumbrances,” the authority stated.

“Unfortunately, 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.”

The clearing operation began along the Ruiru–Thika section of the Thika Superhighway, one of the busiest highways in Kenya, where pedestrians often risk their lives crossing multiple lanes instead of using footbridges.

According to KeNHA, the initiative will progressively be rolled out across the country to reclaim footbridges and underpasses for their intended use.

Road safety experts have consistently warned that congested and obstructed pedestrian infrastructure contributes to rising accident numbers. By ensuring footbridges remain clear, KeNHA hopes to reduce unnecessary fatalities and improve pedestrian flow.

The authority also urged the public to cooperate with the exercise, emphasizing that safe pedestrian facilities are a shared responsibility.