The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has renewed its appeal to pedestrians to avoid using mobile phones or wearing headphones while crossing roads, saying distractions are contributing to a growing number of preventable road accidents and deaths.
In a public safety advisory, the authority urged Kenyans to remain fully alert when crossing roads by keeping their attention on traffic, avoiding distractions, and using designated pedestrian crossings and footbridges.
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“Distractions can wait; your life can’t. Avoid using phones or wearing headphones while crossing the road. Keep your head up, stay aware, and use safe designated crossing points. Enjoy chatting and music, but not when crossing,” NTSA stated.
The warning comes as the authority intensifies its road safety campaign across Nairobi to address unsafe pedestrian behaviour and reduce fatalities.
Hundreds Arrested for Ignoring Footbridges
Speaking on Friday, NTSA Assistant Director Brenda Sawe disclosed that 250 pedestrians had been arrested in Nairobi since July 20 after failing to use designated footbridges and crossing points.
She said enforcement operations will continue alongside public awareness campaigns aimed at encouraging safer road-use habits.
NTSA has consistently expressed concern over the increasing number of pedestrian deaths, noting that pedestrians remain the most affected group in fatal road crashes across Kenya.
According to the authority, pedestrians accounted for 38 percent of all road traffic fatalities recorded by June 30, 2026, underscoring the urgent need for greater compliance with road safety regulations.
Crackdown Targets High-Risk Areas
In recent weeks, NTSA has carried out several enforcement operations at major highways where pedestrians frequently ignore available footbridges.
On July 22, officers arrested and arraigned 22 pedestrians accused of crossing the busy Allsops section of Thika Road instead of using the nearby footbridge.
The crackdown later extended to Buruburu Interchange, where 35 pedestrians were arrested for crossing the highway at undesignated points.
Another enforcement exercise at the Nyayo Stadium footbridge resulted in the arrest of 45 pedestrians for similar offences.
These operations are being conducted jointly by NTSA, the National Police Service and Nairobi City County under the #StepsToZeroPedestrianDeaths campaign, which combines law enforcement, public education and improvements to pedestrian infrastructure.
Distractions Increase Road Risks
The authority warned that activities such as texting, making phone calls or listening to music through headphones while crossing roads significantly reduce a pedestrian’s ability to detect approaching vehicles, obey traffic signals and respond to potential hazards.
NTSA also noted that road crashes continue to place a heavy economic burden on Kenya, estimating that accidents cost the country approximately five percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) each year.
The authority urged all road users to work together in improving road safety by observing traffic rules and making use of designated pedestrian crossings.
“Pedestrian compliance is vital. Using available footbridges and designated crossing points can save lives,” NTSA said.
