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Penalties pedestrians face when arrested for jaywalking in Nairobi
22nd July, 2026 03:33 PM
Pedestrians skipping footbridges along Nairobi highways are facing court dates and cash fines as safety officers step up enforcement across the capital.
On July 22, 2026, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) announced a fresh crackdown targeting individuals dodging elevated walkways along major transport corridors.
Confirming the latest enforcement operation, the safety agency revealed that “A total of 45 pedestrians have been arraigned in court after they were arrested for willfully obstructing the free flow of traffic at the Nyayo Stadium footbridge along Mombasa Road.”
Legal penalties facing pedestrians in Kenya
Under Kenyan traffic regulations and city county bylaws, crossing directly beneath or near an overhead bridge is classified as a traffic offence. Pedestrians convicted of traffic obstruction face court fines ranging from Ksh500 to Ksh5,000, or short jail terms depending on the ruling of the magistrate.
Issuing a warning to members of the public, the transport agency noted that “Crossing beside or under a footbridge is illegal and attracts fines or arrest.”
The ongoing enforcement comes amid rising concerns over road casualties in urban areas. Official statistics show that pedestrians account for nearly 38 per cent of all road traffic crash deaths in Kenya each year.
Explaining the reason behind the crackdown, NTSA warned that “Jaywalking is one of the leading causes of preventable pedestrian deaths.”
To lower these figures, officers from NTSA and the police are mounting regular operations along high-traffic corridors, including Mombasa Road and Thika Road.
The agency urged pedestrians to change their habits, adding: “Never risk your life. Always use the footbridge.”
Why NTSA is enforcing footbridge use
Transport officials emphasise that footbridges exist to guarantee physical separation between people and fast-moving vehicles.
According to NTSA, using these structures provides “Full Protection: Complete separation from traffic at all times” while ensuring “Safety for Everyone, especially children and senior citizens.”
Beyond the risk of arrest, stepping onto live lanes places pedestrians in direct danger due to driver reaction times. Heavy vehicles and public service buses often cannot stop abruptly when someone steps off the curb unexpectedly.
NTSA highlighted this risk, pointing out the hazard of “Driver Blind Spots: Vehicles cannot stop in time when you suddenly step onto the road.”
With multi-agency operations continuing across Nairobi’s major highways, safety officials are appealing to road users to choose safety over saving a few minutes. The agency reminded the public that “Your life matters more than a shortcut.”
