How Kenyan — we demand footbridges and ignore them once they’re built

What you need to know:

  • Many people find it difficult to walk short distances in a direction that may seem out of their way to get to a pedestrian bridge, while others simply scamper under it senselessly.
  • Hawkers, it should be said, are good for pedestrians as they care about the security of would-be customers.

About two years ago, a former parastatal CEO was involved in an unfortunate accident on Uhuru Highway near the University of Nairobi.

It was a dark, rainy night and the driver did not see the students. An unfortunate young lady ended up in hospital with fractures, sores, her future almost destroyed in the flash of a second.

The other students, who felt that the blue-plate car should be held responsible, almost got violent. None of them stopped to recall that there is an underpass that connects the university administration and lecture blocks to the halls of residence.

SCAMPER SENSELESSLY

Footbridges have come into focus once again as Kenyans are arrested for ignoring them and scampering dangerously across highways, putting themselves and motorists at risk.

After the Thika superhighway was completed, there were complaints that due consideration was not given to pedestrian footbridges. Now Kenyans are complaining that the government is coercing people to use them.

Many people find it difficult to walk short distances in a direction that may seem out of their way to get to a pedestrian bridge, while others simply scamper under it senselessly.

Well, guess what good people, the rules apply for these bridges everywhere in the world. Either toe the line, or walk around with a wad of notes to pay penalties with after disobeying the law.

These little details, it is important to note, constitute the kind of order that Kenyans so admire in developed nations. Also, the walk is good for your heart.

Some of the crossing points are not inconvenient at all. For example, the only crossing point for pedestrians around Museum Hill is the underpass at the junction of Kipande Road and Museum Hill Road.

HAIR-RAISING EXPERIENCE

From that point towards town on Kipande Road there is a crossing point at Aga Khan Nursery, which is about 10 metres from the Museum underpass, and no other crossing point until the Globe Cinema underpass.

Many people chose to cross at the fork junction between the National Museums and Kituo cha Sheria, which is a hair-rising experience for a spectator. Some drivers make moves there that would put circus acrobats to shame, and matatus also drop off passengers. Often, accidents occur.

It has been argued that pedestrian bridges and passageways are dirty, dark, lurking with social pests and homeless people, and sometimes filled with hawkers. Hawkers, it should be said, are good for pedestrians as they care about the security of would-be customers. If more people used the designated crossings, some of these problems would naturally be resolved.

These spaces can be adopted by corporate entities for their messaging, either at discounted rates or as part of their corporate social responsibilities. They can also be "loaned" to artists, who expose the public to art, while giving those with special talents an opportunity to make aesthetic contributions to society.

There is just something about a brightly coloured, well-lit space that puts off most of these unwanted elements.

Twitter: @muthonithangwa