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The revelations comes days after Murkomen said that 3,999 people died in road accidents between January and December 7.
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Out of the total deaths reported this year, 1,451 were pedestrians, 358 drivers, 682 passengers, 363 pillion passengers, 83 pedal cyclists and 1,062 motorcyclists.
Image: LEAH MUKANGAI
The government has announced plans to construct footbridges on three high risk roads in Nairobi to curb pedestrian deaths.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said that the footbridges will be installed on Thika Superhighway, Wayiaki Way and Southern Bypass.
“The ministry through the Kenya National Highways Authority has mapped out critical locations across Wayiaki Way, Thika Super Highway and Southern Bypass for construction of footbridge,” Murkomen said.
In a report to the Senate, the CS said that the move is aimed at enhancing pedestrian safety and mobility.
He said the ministry has identified four areas where the footbridges will be constructed on Wayiaki Way.
They are Westlands Consolata area, Westlands bus stage, Chiromo lane on Riverside Drive and the Association for Physically Disabled of Kenya.
“The footbridge at Chiromo area has been included in Kenha five-year strategic plan (2023-28). The construction of the footbridge will commence as soon as funds are made available,” the CS said.
Currently, Murkomen said, Kenha has engaged a contractor on the section of Wayiaki Way to provide speed calming measures consisting of rumble strips, humps and road signages to reduce vehicles operating speeds and enable safe passage for pedestrians.
The CS was responding to a petition filed in the Senate seeking the House’s intervention to curb rising cases of pedestrian deaths on Wayiaki Way and other major roads in the city.
The revelations comes days after Murkomen said that 3,999 people died in road accidents between January and December 7.
Out of the total deaths reported this year, 1,451 were pedestrians, 358 drivers, 682 passengers, 363 pillion passengers, 83 pedal cyclists and 1,062 motorcyclists.
The CS said many of the accidents were caused by private motorists.
“There has been a notable reduction of fatalities in all road user groups this year, except pedal cyclists when compared to the same period last year.”
Murkomen said that pedal cyclists’ deaths could be attributed to speeding vehicles, dangerous clinging, unsafe changing of lanes, use of mobile phones and failure to wear reflector jackets, among others.
The number of victims who suffered serious injuries reduced from 9,698 to 8,974 in a year.
The CS also announced plans to retrain and retest drivers as well as revamp the driving curriculum in driving schools.
“We will also roll out the testing of drivers in terms of health standards to ensure they are of sound mind. Inspections of vehicles will also be digitised for easier tracking of the inspection exercises,” he said.