Passaris backs bill to prioritise pedestrian and cyclist safety
Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has thrown her weight behind the Kenya Roads (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which seeks to make roads safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and persons with disabilities.
The Bill, sponsored by Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda, is currently under discussion in Parliament. If passed into law, it will require all new roads and major upgrades to include safe and accessible Non-Motorised Transport (NMT) lanes.
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These will be used by pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchair users, and other non-motorised road users.
In a statement shared on her X account on Thursday, August 7, 2025, Passaris praised Lesuuda for pushing forward a progressive and people-centred piece of legislation.
“Yesterday, I rose in strong support of Hon. @Lesuuda’s Kenya Roads (Amendment) Bill. This Bill will make it mandatory for every new road or major upgrade to include safe, accessible Non‑Motorised Transport (NMT) lanes for pedestrians, cyclists, and persons with disabilities,” Passaris said.
Passaris, who once cycled from Kitisuru to Parliament, said she understands firsthand the dangers of using roads that do not cater to non-motorised users.
“As a rider who once cycled from Kitisuru to Parliament, I know the fear of navigating unsafe roads from speeding vehicles to the indiscipline of boda boda riders,” she said.
She further clarified that motorbikes should not be allowed in NMT lanes, stressing that they pose a threat to vulnerable road users.
“Motorbikes are NOT Non‑Motorised Transport. They must stay out of NMT lanes to protect our most vulnerable road users. This Bill is about justice, dignity, and safety. Let’s build roads for people, not just for vehicles,” she added.
Roads bill
The Bill, introduced by Lesuuda in 2024, is aimed at correcting historical imbalances in Kenya’s road design that have long prioritised motorists over the majority of Kenyans who walk, cycle, or use wheelchairs.
Speaking during the second reading of the Bill in Parliament, Lesuuda said the legislation is rooted in principles of fairness and inclusivity.
“Today, I rise to sponsor the Kenya Roads (Amendment) Bill… At its core, it is about justice, dignity, and safety on our roads,” she said.
She criticised Kenya’s current road planning approach for excluding those who do not use cars, particularly in urban and peri-urban areas.
“Our roads are built for motorised vehicles, as if only those with or in cars deserve to move safely. As if dignity, safety, and access are luxuries,” she said.
Lesuuda emphasised that the majority of Kenyans are forced to walk daily, including school children who face unsafe road conditions.
“But what happens to the millions of Kenyans, the real majority of our children who walk every day to school?” she asked.
If passed, the Bill will require road agencies such as KeNHA, KURA, and KeRRA to enforce the construction of dedicated walkways and cycling lanes on both national and county roads. These lanes will need to be physically separated from motor traffic to ensure safety.
The proposed plan will need significant government investment. An estimated Ksh182 billion is required to implement the changes countrywide, beginning with Sh30 billion in the first year. The plan targets the 70 per cent of tarmacked roads that currently lack infrastructure for non-motorised transport.
The Bill also introduces penalties for drivers who encroach on NMT lanes. Offenders could be fined up to Sh1 million or jailed for up to one year.
Lesuuda’s long-term vision is to create road systems where walking and cycling are not only safe but actively encouraged. The Bill proposes a 15-year transition period to allow for gradual implementation.
If approved, the Kenya Roads (Amendment) Bill could transform how roads are built and used across the country, placing the safety and dignity of every road user at the heart of infrastructure planning.
