The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has arrested 35 pedestrians during an enforcement operation at the Mutindwa Footbridge in Nairobi’s Buruburu area for failing to use the designated pedestrian crossing.

The operation, conducted on Monday, July 27, targeted pedestrians crossing the busy carriageway instead of using the footbridge. NTSA said the suspects will be arraigned in court to face charges related to violating traffic regulations.

In a statement posted on its official X account, the authority said the enforcement exercise was aimed at improving compliance with road safety laws and reducing risks to both pedestrians and motorists.

The authority said crossing major roads outside designated pedestrian facilities exposes road users to a high risk of being involved in traffic crashes and also disrupts the smooth movement of vehicles along busy urban highways.

The latest operation forms part of NTSA’s ongoing nationwide enforcement campaign aimed at improving pedestrian compliance with traffic laws. In recent weeks, the agency has increased inspections at locations identified as pedestrian accident hotspots, particularly along Nairobi’s major highways.

The Mutindwa crackdown follows a similar operation carried out at the Allsops Footbridge along Thika Road, where 22 pedestrians were arrested after they were found crossing the highway instead of using the footbridge. Those arrested were later arraigned in court.

NTSA has maintained that enforcement is being complemented by public awareness campaigns intended to encourage safer road use and reduce preventable crashes involving pedestrians.

According to the authority, pedestrians continue to account for a significant proportion of road traffic deaths in Kenya.

“As at June 30, 2026, pedestrians accounted for 38 per cent of all road traffic crash fatalities. This is alarming, and ending pedestrian fatalities requires concerted efforts from everyone,” NTSA said in an earlier road safety update.

The authority has repeatedly urged pedestrians to use footbridges, zebra crossings and other designated crossing points whenever they cross roads, particularly on highways and dual carriageways with heavy traffic.

The enforcement exercise comes as NTSA continues to strengthen compliance with traffic regulations through joint operations with other road safety agencies. The authority says the measures are intended to reduce road crashes, improve traffic flow and enhance safety for all road users.

NTSA has indicated that similar enforcement operations will continue at other locations across the country as part of its broader road safety programme, warning that pedestrians who ignore designated crossing points risk prosecution under Kenya’s traffic laws.