The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has launched a countrywide operation to remove hawkers and street families from footbridges and underpasses in a bid to restore the safety and usability of the structures for pedestrians.
In a statement issued on Friday, September 19, 2025, the authority said the initiative is aimed at reclaiming the facilities that have increasingly become impassable due to traders and people seeking shelter, forcing many pedestrians to take risks by crossing highways at non-designated points.
KeNHA warned that the continued misuse of footbridges has led to preventable accidents and loss of lives, saying the ongoing operation was necessary to address the challenge.
“Footbridges are designed to provide safe, efficient, and often pleasant passage for pedestrians free from any obstacles and encumbrances.
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,” KeNHA stated.
The authority said the exercise began along the Ruiru to Thika section of the Thika Superhighway and will progressively cover other highways across the country.
The operation brings together several government agencies, among them the National Government Administrative Officers, county governments, the National Police Service, the Axle Load Enforcement Unit, and the KeNHA Corridor C team.
As part of the exercise, KeNHA said it will also clean the affected footbridges and underpasses to ensure they are safe and accessible to all road users.
“In a bid to deter any further loss of life, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has launched an operation to clear all footbridges and underpasses of any hawkers and street families, as well as clean them. This countrywide exercise has started along the Ruiru – Thika section of the Thika Superhighway,” KeNHA said.
The exercise is being conducted in collaboration with the National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO), County Governments, National Police Service, Axle Load Enforcement Unit (ALEHU) and the KeNHA Corridor C team.
"The Authority remains steadfast in her dedication to road safety, safeguarding road reserves, and ensuring the safety of all road users," KeNHA said.
KeNHA maintained that the removal of encroachments is a key measure in reducing road accidents and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives on the country’s highways.
