‘You will learn the hard way’: Mosiria orders more footbridge offenders to collect litter
By Steve Ireri, August 7, 2026Nairobi County Chief Officer for Citizen Engagement and Customer Service Geoffrey Mosiria has doubled down on his crackdown against pedestrians who ignore footbridges and cross busy roads at dangerous points, ordering another group of Kenyans caught flouting the rule to collect litter.
Mosiria returned to the Nyayo Stadium Roundabout along Mombasa Road on Friday, August 7, 2026, a day after he launched a similar operation in the area that saw pedestrians caught avoiding the footbridge ordered to collect litter.
Speaking during the latest operation, Mosiria said the number of pedestrians ignoring the footbridge had reduced significantly following Thursday’s arrests and punishment, which he said was an encouraging sign that the intervention was beginning to have an effect.
He said there were still a few pedestrians who continued to cross the busy road despite the presence of a designated footbridge, prompting him to continue with the crackdown.
“I am in Mombasa Road, the Nyayo Roundabout, here where there is a footbridge. And yesterday we arrested some people. And today there are not so many who are not using the footbridge, which is okay,” he said.
Mosiria said he hoped the action would serve as a lesson to other pedestrians and discourage them from taking shortcuts that could expose them to speeding vehicles.
“And I hope this will be a lesson for many people,” Mosiria said.
He noted that although the situation had improved, some pedestrians were still ignoring the designated crossing point and putting themselves at risk.
The county official also addressed concerns raised by members of the public over the manner in which he handled the offenders during the previous day’s operation.
Mosiria said some Kenyans had questioned why the pedestrians were not provided with gloves while collecting litter, prompting him to ensure that those subjected to the punishment during Friday’s operation had protective gloves.
He acknowledged that some people had accused him of going too far with the punishment, but said he was prepared to continue doing so if he believed the action could prevent deaths on the busy road.
“And I saw you raised concern that yesterday when I gave them the punishment I should give them gloves. And you said yesterday that I am overdoing, but yes, I am overdoing but doing the right thing,” he said.
Mosiria said his priority was to prevent pedestrians from becoming victims of road accidents, arguing that the consequences of crossing the road at an unauthorised point could be far more serious than the temporary inconvenience of using a footbridge.
“Because if someone dies here, it will be bad. Today they have gloves,” he said.
He used the latest operation to remind pedestrians that road safety should take precedence over convenience, particularly in areas where footbridges have already been provided.
Mosiria further warned that people who ignore the designated crossing points may not get another opportunity to reconsider their actions if they are struck by a vehicle.
“Let it also be a lesson because if someone dies while crossing the road at the wrong place, you will not have the chance to ask that they be given gloves,” he said.