National Transport Authority (NTSA) is seeking more partners to erect guard rails on the high risk roads in Nairobi to reduce pedestrian deaths.
On Thursday, the agency held a meeting with corporates to outline the project targeting nine roads in Nairobi.
The roads to be covered include North Airport Road, Eastern bypass, Jogoo Road, Landhies Road, Waiyaki Way, Mombasa Road, Thika Super Highway, Uhuru Highway and Ngong Road.
The project, launched last year, has seen guard rails erected in some of the roads.
PEDESTRIANS
NTSA Director General Mr Francis Meja noted that following the construction of guard rails, pedestrians deaths had significantly dropped.
He said installing guard rails was a sure way of reducing pedestrian fatalities, which last year was at 1,097 compared to 1,344 in 2015.
“Installation of guard rails is an intervention that has worked especially in the high risk North Airport Road and has proven to save lives that could otherwise be lost,” said Mr Meja.
Nairobi County government will waive advertising fees who take part in the project.
The guard rails are estimated to cost Sh20,000 per metre while hiring one traffic marshal for a day will cost Sh2,000.
CORRUPT
Mr Meja the agency will also partner with Kenya National Highway Authority and Kenya Urban Roads Authority and Kenya Urban Roads Authority to put up more footbridges for pedestrians.
“Our roads were initially designed exclusively for vehicles but we need to include pedestrians and cyclists while designing new and existing roads,” he said.
Speaking at the same function at Laico Regency hotel on Thursday, Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi urged NTSA to invest in educating pedestrians on road safety.
Nominated Senator Paul Njoroge blamed corrupt traffic police officers for the rise in traffic crashes.
