Desperate Nairobians turn to footbridges, citing high gym fees

Lyn Wanjiru – a resident of Umoja 1 estate in Nairobi’s Eastlands area – is working out at the giant footbridge around Jam-spot, along the Outering road.

Lyn is flanked by a few group of individuals – all of them keen on losing a few kilos and staying fit.

You will find them in the wee hours of the morning – before pedestrians begin using the footbridge – or late in the evening when the crossing is mostly deserted.

The steep stairs on both ends of the footbridge, and smooth extended planks on either end makes it spacious for jogging.

“We come here on a daily basis because the footbridge is suitable for workouts, at the same time there are few playgrounds around for everyone,” says Wanjiru.

“The steep stairs on the flyover help us to strengthen the muscles. I prefer coming here instead of hitting the actual gyms which charge up to Sh6,000 per month,” she added.

The flyover serves hundreds of residents who live within Umoja, Buru-Buru and Donholm estates.

Joel Towet, an accountant by profession, told Wananchi that he wakes up very early so he can get to the bridge before 6:00 am.

“I live alongside Outering road just next to the footbridge. I had a life-threatening condition and the doctor advised me to work out regularly.

I used to jump rope inside my house, but my neighbours reported me to the caretaker who warned me against disturbing them, and so I resorted to burning calories at the footbridge,” Towett said.

Other footbridges that have been turned into gyms by residents include one near Safari Park, just along Thika road.

The same is replicated at flyovers located at Wendani, Pangani and around Pipeline in Eastlands where workout enthusiasts climb up and down the stairs to burn the calories.

Fitness expert Terry Kibe argues that the flyovers that have stairs are good, but those using them should take a lot of time up there.

“They come in handy where there are no playgrounds, and if one cannot afford gym, then the workout time should not exceed two hours,” she explained.

Kenya Residents Association boss Henry Ochieng says there is lack of adequate space for social amenities in Nairobi.

At the same time, he says the few that were available have been grabbed thus residents settle for such places for workouts.

“Every estate should have playing field not only for children but for adults because that is where they ought to do exercise but that is not the case in most of the estates,” he added.