Residents of Kihunguro in Ruiru, Kiambu County, can breathe a sigh of relief following the approval for the construction of a footbridge along the Thika Superhighway.
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has given the green light for the construction of the Ksh100 million bridge as part of measures to curb the prevalent road accidents along the busy route.
According to the Authority, the multi-million-shilling project is expected to commence in mid-August this year, with the construction of the bridge expected to take about one and a half years to complete.
KeNHA's approval follows concerns from area residents who have repeatedly expressed worries about dangerous crossings and accidents along the Thika Superhighway.
Speaking to the press, the area police boss emphasised the need for the bridge, stating that it would benefit over 2,000 residents from Biashara and Gatong’ora wards.
“There have been several accidents on this road, but this is a great project that is going to help a lot of people. By next week, this project is expected to start and continue for several months,” said Ruiru Deputy Chief Constable Julius Too.
This comes following the Authority’s initial promise to construct footbridges on major roads within Nairobi city and its neighbouring counties.
The initiative spearheaded by KeNHA, jointly with the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), aims to improve pedestrian safety and reduce road accidents, particularly along risky roads.
The latest development follows a recent announcement by KeNHA urging Kenyans to prioritise their safety and that of other road users by using designated crossing structures, including footbridges.
In a statement on August 2, KeNHA expressed concern that despite the existence of footbridges, many people still choose to take dangerous shortcuts by crossing roads on foot at unsafe points.
According to the Authority, while many pedestrians may find footbridges inconvenient due to their distance or staircases, the alternative often ends in tragedy.
“Maybe you are in a hurry, or the bridge seemed too far. But here is the truth: that shortcut can become a lifespan cut short. Every day, pedestrians risk their lives by dashing across the highway. Some make it, some don’t,” the authority noted.
