146 pedestrians killed in July 2026, down from 178 in 2025 – NTSA credits footbridge crackdown
By Dan Kauna, August 17, 2026Fewer pedestrians lost their lives on Kenyan roads in July 2026 following stepped-up joint enforcement operations by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and the Traffic Police, according to data shared on August 17, 2026 by the NTSA.
Officers have been actively patrolling major highways to ensure road users use footbridges and designated zebra crossings rather than jaywalking.
Enforcement drives down road deaths
In its official update, NTSA explained that “pedestrian fatalities declined in July 2026 as the Authority and Traffic Police intensified enforcement and compliance checks targeting road users who fail to use designated crossing points, including footbridges.”
Detailing the figures from its status report, the authority noted that “according to the July 2026 road safety status report, we lost 146 pedestrians down from 178 fatalities recorded in the same period in 2025, which is a 17.98 per cent reduction.”
NTSA directly linked the improved numbers to continuous patrols on busy highways across the country, stating “We attribute this decline to, among other interventions, the ongoing enforcement efforts aimed at encouraging pedestrians to use designated crossing points and comply with traffic rules.”
Ditching dangerous highway shortcuts
Dashing across highways or hopping over concrete median barriers has long been a common habit for many commuters in urban centres like Nairobi. However, police officers and NTSA marshals stationed at known blackspots have made taking those shortcuts far more difficult.
Along busy stretches such as Waiyaki Way, Outering Road, and the Thika Superhighway, pedestrians caught crossing illegally face instant arrests, pushing more commuters to use designated footbridges and zebra crossings.
Images shared by the safety authority show enforcement teams detaining offenders under flyovers during ongoing morning and evening operations. Officials noted that these operations aim to break dangerous habits that put lives at risk every day.
Even with the lower casualty numbers recorded in July 2026, safety officials maintain that pedestrian safety requires constant effort from everyone on the road. Pedestrians remain among the most vulnerable road users in Kenya, making public cooperation critical to saving lives.
In a direct appeal to commuters, NTSA advised, “To further reduce fatalities among vulnerable road users, we urge all pedestrians to always use designated crossing points including footbridges, obey traffic signals, and prioritize their safety on the roads.”
The authority confirmed that joint operations with traffic police will continue across major highways to ensure road users obey regulations and keep preventable deaths low throughout the year.