Pedestrians walk at the Westlands Roundabout in Nairobi.
In the heart of Nairobi, thousands of residents make their daily journeys on foot or by bicycle – heading to work, school, or the market. Yet, the city’s roads remain treacherous for these vulnerable users.
While major investments have gone into expanding highways, building expressways, and redesigning busy intersections, the needs of pedestrians and cyclists are still largely overlooked.
Nowhere is this more evident than at the Westlands roundabout, one of
the city’s busiest junctions.
According to new data from the Association for Safe International Road Travel (ASIRT-Kenya), an estimated 2,562 pedestrians and 119 cyclists navigate this crossing every 30 minutes during the morning rush hour between 7am and 8am.
Despite this heavy use, the roundabout lacks even the most basic safety infrastructure. There are no marked crosswalks, no posted speed limits, and no dedicated cycling lanes.
For those walking or cycling, the daily commute is not just tiring, it’s dangerous.
Eng. Isaac Gitoho, Chairman of ASIRT-Kenya said that many Kenyans walk to work, school, hospital and to other social amenities making the call for safe walking interventions urgent.
"Supportive infrastructure and reduction of speeds to 30km/h in places of high population like residential areas, around schools and hospitals can go a long way in mitigating the risks posed to those that are walking and cycling," said Eng. Gitoho.
He added that ASIRT Kenya is keen to
support the work of the government in its initiatives.
“There are no speed limits though it is recommended that such intersections should have low speeds such as 30km/h due to the great interaction of vehicles and people,” Eng Gitoho noted adding that, “Dedicated crossing points are required since there are bus stops and commercial activities going on on both sides of the highway. Road authorities should prioritize the vulnerable users like pedestrians and cyclists.”
The lack of proper planning and safety design has devastating consequences. Data from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) reveals that between January to March 2025, 420 pedestrians and 301 motorcyclists lost their lives—making them the most affected road users.
“Intersections are particularly unsafe for pedestrians and cyclists,” said Barasa, a motorcyclist rider who operates from at Kariakor roundabout. “It’s where a lot of crashes occur because during rush hour no one wants to give way to one another.”
The construction of the Nairobi
Expressway only exacerbated these dangers. Walking areas were destroyed, and
people are now forced to compete with
cars, especially during rush hours. As Nairobi grows, so too does its
reliance on motorized transport—at the expense of those who travel by foot or
bike.
A 2021 study by Clare Cummings and Beatrice Obwocha titled "At the Crossroads: The Politics of Road Safety in Nairobi” points to a key issue: political priorities. “New roads are a tangible sign of government action, whereas road safety improvements are less visible,” the report states adding that, “politicians gain more public recognition for road improvements than for road safety improvements.”
The same study highlights how, in the aftermath of pedestrian fatalities, authorities often blame “jaywalking,” poor visibility, or weather. However, experts argue that vehicular speed is the most decisive factor—and one that can be regulated.
Internationally, the Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety has emphasized the need for 30 km/h zones, pedestrian crossings, speed bumps, and footpaths as cost-effective solutions with massive returns. “When people can walk safely, it can improve health, support climate targets, and make societies fairer for those who cannot afford a private vehicle,” the Alliance notes.
Studies show that implementing these interventions could reduce pedestrian deaths and serious injuries by up to 99 percent. Furthermore, according to the International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP), every $1 invested in such infrastructure yields an $8 return through reduced healthcare costs, insurance claims, and productivity losses.
Despite global best practices and mounting evidence, Kenya’s roads remain engineered for speed, not safety. The Ministry of Roads’ own Road Sector Investment Programme (RSIP) 2010 highlights this bias, estimating that every shilling invested in road construction yields 2.6 shillings in return—based purely on economic grounds, with little regard for public health or equity.
But as Nairobi urbanizes rapidly,
the need for a pedestrian-first approach becomes more urgent. The 8th UN Global Road Safety Week called
for governments worldwide to create streets for life, emphasizing walking and
cycling. Kenya cannot afford to be left behind.
Walking, after all, is healthy, sustainable, equitable—and free. But without a shift in policy and infrastructure design, our roads will remain dangerous for vulnerable users.
