KeNHA to sweep hawkers and street families off footbridges
By Ascah Mwango, September 20, 2025The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has rolled out a nationwide operation to clear hawkers and street families from footbridges and underpasses across the country.
In a statement released on Friday, September 19, 2025, the authority stated that the move aims to restore footbridges to their intended use of providing a safe and efficient passage for pedestrians.
Many of the structures have become difficult to use due to encroachment by traders and people seeking shelter, forcing pedestrians to risk crossing busy highways at undesignated points.
KeNHA noted that such unsafe practices have led to tragic accidents, making the crackdown necessary to protect lives.
“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 highways authority said the operation officially began on the Ruiru to Thika section of the Thika Superhighway. It involves the participation of several agencies, including 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, the authority will also clean the affected footbridges and underpasses to make them safer and more accessible for road users.
KeNHA emphasised its commitment to road safety and the protection of road reserves, stating that the clearance of encroachments is a crucial step in ensuring the safety of all pedestrians and motorists.
“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.
Adding;
“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.”