KeNHA set to clear hawkers and street families from footbridges for security reasons
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has issued a directive to street families and hawkers operating along the footbridges to vacate in a crackdown to clear all footbridges from any business activity.
In a statement on the authority’s official X account on Saturday, September 20, 2025, KeNHA has detailed how unsafe footbridges have been owing to the crowding of hawkers.
You might also like
On its part, the transport authority, while issuing stern warnings, has also announced that all footbridges are designed to provide safe, efficient, and often pleasant passage for pedestrians free from any obstacles and encumbrances.
Also watch: MCA Alai proposes uniforms for hawkers in Nairobi CBD to curb insecurity
While launching the crackdown, KeNHA further acknowledged that most footbridges along the highways are now unfeasible to use due to encroachment by hawkers and street families.
“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,” KeNHA said.
In addition, KeNHA revealed how the crowding of small businesses along the footbridges has often resulted in tragic accidents.
KeNHA’s new directive
Also issuing a new directive in a bid to deter any further loss of life. According to KeNHA, all footbridges and underpasses of any hawkers and street families will be cleared off.
“This compels pedestrians to cross in undesignated areas, which has often resulted in tragic accidents. 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,” KeNHA said.
Meanwhile, KeNHA has revealed that the nationwide exercise has already started off along the Ruiru–Thika section of the Thika Superhighway.
Also watch: Government set to relocate hawkers from highways
Also, the exercise is being conducted in collaboration with the National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO), county governments, the National Police Service, the Axle Load Enforcement Unit (ALEHU), and the KeNHA Corridor C team.
“This countrywide exercise has started off along the Ruiru–Thika section of the Thika Superhighway. The exercise is being conducted in collaboration with the National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO), county governments, the National Police Service, the Axle Load Enforcement Unit (ALEHU), and the KeNHA Corridor C team,” KeNHA noted.
“The Authority remains steadfast in her dedication to road safety, safeguarding road reserves, and ensuring safety of all road users,” KeNHA added.
