The Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) has dismissed claims by Nairobi Hospital's management that the construction of a public footbridge next to the private hospital would pose a security threat.
In a statement dated Thursday, April 1, KURA stated that the bridge was not a security threat despite its proximity to the hospital's fence.
KURA acknowledged that the private hospital had requested the bridge be moved 50 meters from their fence, a request that was considered.
Additionally, KURA stated that all the stakeholders were consulted during the construction process, noting that the bridge was important to members of the public.
"KURA has engaged the multi-national security and environmental agencies on the matter and the agencies advised on remodifying the bridge and we did as advised.
"Correspondence has been made with the hospital and they gave their input requesting the bridge to be moved 50 meters from the original location and it was done," read KURA statement in part.
Further, the road agency urged the hospital to be considerate in its demands even as KURA stated that the construction of the bridge had stalled over differences with the hospital's management.
"Nairobi Hospital is one of our greatest institutions but must consider public safety, loss of lives, traffic along this road, and financial implications due to project stalling and delays.
"Public safety is at the core of our mandate and thus we cannot stop undertaking the footbridge construction which after completion will save lives. The statistics of the pedestrians knocked around KNH are alarming and thus a footbridge is urgently needed to avert more deaths," KURA added.
The construction of the bridge was aimed at reducing accidents along the road leading to Kenyatta National Hospital and the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC).
The bridge was also aimed at assisting students from Daystar University who cross the busy Ngong Road.
According to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), thousands of pedestrians lose their lives every year to avoidable road accidents.
