KENHA paints dangerous footbridge, but residents want missing guard rails fixed

The Kenya National Highway Authority (KENHA) has painted the footbridge sitting along Waiyaki Way, just around ABC Place and Safaricom headquarters.

This is just one of the many footbridges in Nairobi that have recently benefited from this well-timed facelift. 

While the aesthetics are appealing to the eye, pedestrians who regularly use the Waiyaki Way footbridge told Wananchi Reporting that it still poses great danger to hundreds of users.

The footbridge does not have guard rails at certain sections – which makes it very easy for a pedestrian to topple several metres onto the tarmac below.

The footbridge is used by pedestrians crossing to either side of the busy road during the day and at night.

“This is not the first time we are raising concern about the state of this footbridge. I wonder why they find it convenient to paint the bridge, but not install the guard rails,” wondered Jared Ogweno who regularly uses the footbridge.

According to those who use the footbridge, it is pointless to paint the structure when the most important thing is being neglected.

“I would rather we have an old looking bridge, than to have a shiny bridge that is a deathtrap,” said Ogweno.

According to reports, the guard rails were plucked off by criminals harvesting scrap metals. What is left are protrusions of sharp and rusty metals which also pose danger to users.

The pedestrians are asking the Kenya National Highway Authority to install the guard rails to avert tragedy.