Repair broken footbridge at CBD, residents plead with Sakaja

Residents of Nairobi want the county government to repair the Haile Selassie Avenue footbridge that was damaged by a truck almost three years ago.

According to some residents, the Zebra crossing signs placed on the road to allow pedestrians cross has not helped much.

 They fear that if the footbridge is not repaired, many people will be knocked down by speeding vehicles using the Haille Sellassie Avenue.

Nelly Njoki, who works in the city said crossing the road between the Railways and Uhuru Highway junction is like skirting with death.

“It is too risky sometimes. The road was recently fixed and high concrete barriers were erected, and so there is little space for pedestrians to pass through. I believe relevant authorities are aware of the matter, but they have chosen to turn a blind eye,” she said.

 “I am often forced to walk to the roundabout since most vehicles are speeding. This is why we need the footbridge,” she said.

Another resident, Henry Muhatia, said that Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) had promised to restore the footbridge, but this never came to pass.

“I applaud what the Nairobi County authority is doing. However, they need to address this matter. We are risking our lives and spending so much time walking all the way to the junction.  The flyover provided a safer and easier way to access the other side of town,” he said. 

A 2018 Northern Corridor and Nairobi County Route Hazard Mapping Report revealed that Nairobi has the highest number of dangerous roads.