Waiyaki Way: Relief for pedestrians as new walkway takes shape

The new pedestrian walk, at the moment, only runs from Westlands Sub-County Offices, a few minutes from Nairobi Westlands Expressway exit point.

This is a welcome relief for pedestrians who for many months have had to plough through loose soil – and mud – whenever it rains in Nairobi.

“It has been very dangerous walking on the side of the road with no designated walking areas. I just hope they will extend the whole walkway to Westlands – and to the CBD,” Phyllis Kamau told Wananchi Reporting.

The whole of Waiyaki Way stretch, down to the University Way, has not had a walkway ever since expansion works on the 25-kilometre stretch starting from James Gichuru Road junction to Mai Mahiu turnoff on the Nairobi-Nakuru highway. 

Office workers along the busy highway have had to contend with mud and dust for months – something that has eaten into their pockets.

“I actually carry a shoe brush to the office because it gets so dusty. It’s worse whenever it rains. Imagine walking into the office with muddied shoes. It’s embarrassing,” Steve Muhenda told Wananchi Reporting.

The rugged sides of the roads have made it difficult to walk, forcing many to use matatus. Those who walk on the sides of the completed road are faced by the constant danger of being ran over. It can be that dangerous. 

“There is no space to walk freely. The new walkway they are constructing only covers a small fraction of the road. Let them extend it all the way to town,” added Ms. Kamau.

The expansion of Waiyaki way began in 2017, and was slated for completion in December 2020.

Meanwhile, many roads in Nairobi do not have footpaths, with most of them transformed into flower beds by land owners whose fences stretch to roads leaving no footpaths.