A dangerous crossing zone used by school kids near Desmond Tutu Conference Center along Waiyaki Way in Westlands has sparked uproar online.
Videos shared online shows pupils from Muguga Green and Bohra primary schools are seen taking chances while crossing the eight-lane road. They are forced to run from one end of the road to the middle where they subsequently have to jump over the road rails separating oncoming and outgoing traffic before eventually running across to the other side.
The crossing point, which has a drop off and pick up point for public service vehicles (PSVs), is close to the Nairobi West entrance of the Expressway, and next to the Westlands Sub County Commissioner's office.
The nearest footbridge is located near the Aga Khan Secondary School which is approximately 600 meters away. The next nearest footbridge is more than a kilometer away, near the Sarit Center exit.
Despite the designated footbridge being approximately ten minutes away, most school-going children and other pedestrians take the risk of running across the busy highway.
This has ignited debate with a section of Kenyans suggesting that a footbridge be erected to serve the schools and office blocs nearby.
Others suggested the Nairobi Expressway contractor, in collaboration with Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), should create barriers separating the road to encourage the school-going children to use the bridge which is 600 meters away.
"I think KeNHA should elect a barrier near Church Road and Njugunas to force pedestrians to use the existing footbridge," Kavalu Kukitu wrote on his social media page.
A KeNHA official who was contacted by Kenyans.co.ke, however, refused to comment on the issue.
According to traffic rules, pedestrians should not cross major highways except on a designated zebra crossing or footbridge.
According to the Highways Code, crossing from undesignated areas attract heavy penalties and fines, and may lead to a jail term.
The primary function of the Highway Code is to help maintain order on Kenyan roads. Maintaining order helps to keep people safe while using Kenyan roads.
The concerns over crossing point near Desmond Tutu Center comes just weeks after the Ministry of Transport led by Cabinet Secretary, James Macharia, announced that Ksh9 billion has been set aside to rehabilitate the lower deck road.
The road was destroyed following the construction of the 27-kilometer Nairobi Expressway running from Mlolongo to James Gichuru Road in Westlands.
The elevated toll road was constructed to ease traffic in Nairobi.
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