Samburu West Member of Parliament Naisula Lesuuda has proposed an amendment bill that will see all roads in the country undergo redesigning.
As proposed in the Kenya Roads Amendment Bill 2024, all roads will be redesigned to include pedestrian and cyclist lanes.
Lesuuda acknowledged that most roads in the country did not have cyclists and pedestrian lanes, a move that has contributed to concerns about road safety.
Given the intense work needed to correct the road designs, the MP proposed that the work be undertaken in 15 years should the bill be enacted.
"The principal Act is amended to include designing and constructing designated tracks for non-motorised transport for existing roads and new roads under its control, including cycling lanes and pedestrian walkways which shall be separated from tracks for motorised transport," the MP proposed in the bill.
Notably, should the bill sail through, all future road projects including those undertaken by the county government will have to incorporate this design.
On the other hand, the MP is also proposing to have the police enforce the use of the designated lanes.
As outlined in the bill, all motorised automobiles such as vehicles and motorcycles will be banned from using the lanes designated for cyclists and pedestrians.
"The traffic police shall have the responsibility of enforcing these rules by ensuring strict use of the dedicated lanes for pedestrians and cyclists and the safety of non-motorized of non-motorized transport users," read the Bill in part.
Proposals by Lesuuda come at a time when the country has witnessed a sharp rise in road accidents.
In the accidents reported this year, pedestrians have been the most affected. For instance, 2,165 pedestrians have died in road accidents between January 2023 and April 2024.
On the other hand, the rising cases have been attributed to the lack of appropriate lanes on the roads.
