Moi Avenue, Ronald Ngala pavements get a facelift, but hawkers still a problem

Residents of Nairobi who use sections of Moi Avenue and Ronald Ngala Street have a reason to smile.

This is after important renovations were done on the existing sidewalks and pavements that had over the years degenerated due to continuous neglect and poor maintenance.

The renovations are slowly increasing the aesthetics of a city that according to the 2019 Census had a population of over four million people — most of whom walk.

According to Nairobi County Chief Officer, Works, Engineer Geoffrey Tirop, the ongoing facelift and renovation of pavements and NMT works will cover Ronald Ngala, Tom Mboya and part of Odeon.

"The Nairobi City County Governments Works department has earmarked Moi Avenue, Harambee Avenue, Haille Sellassie, Tom Mboya (upper section), Kenyatta Avenue, City Hall Way, Mama Ngina Street, Muindi Mbingu, Standard Street and Wabera Street for renovation works,” Tirop told Wananchi Reporting.  

Residents of Nairobi have in the past raised concern over poorly done or non-existent walkways – which make walking in the capital very difficult.

“In the past people have been forced to walk on the road because of reduced walking areas, which can be very dangerous because the roads are used by motorists,” said Alphonse Odongo, a resident of Nairobi.

“It is much better now because people can walk freely without the fear of getting knocked down by motorists,” said Odongo.

According to a report by the United Nations Environment Programme, 45 per cent of people in Kenya walk for their daily trips, and many others use non-motorized transport (NMT).

Interestingly -- despite non-motorized transport being the most dominant mode of transport in Kenya, it is often the least considered in urban planning and investments.

The Integrated National Transport Policy (2012) recognises the importance of NMT in addressing the needs of the poor as well as promoting the health of the population.

Some of the residents who spoke to Wananchi Reporting want the county government of Nairobi to limit the use of the pavements to pedestrians only.

“It is good that we have these new pavements and walkways – but why are hawkers allowed to take them over?

“It beats logic to build pavements only for hawkers to invade them,” wondered Juliet Hamisi, a resident of Nairobi.

Residents are asking the Nairobi County government to block hawkers from taking over pavements meant for pedestrian use.