Esther Passaris Slams Kenyans Avoiding Footbridge While Crossing Highways: "This Is Insane"

• Nairobi Women Representative Esther Passaris expressed shock at pedestrians risking their safety by avoiding footbridges while crossing busy roads
• Passaris cautioned Kenyans that insurance companies will not compensate pedestrians who get injured while crossing roads
• The city politician said Kenyans found crossing busy roads without using footbridges should be arrested

Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Pasaris has criticised Kenyans for neglecting the use of footbridges on highways.

On Wednesday, December 27, the Nairobi MP expressed shock at Kenyans risking their safety by crossing busy roads instead of using footbridges.

Why is Passaris unhappy with some Kenyans?

Passaris explained that pedestrians avoiding footbridges usually endanger their lives, yet the government has invested millions in keeping them safe.

"The reason why government spends money on flyovers is so that you are safe. Do you know that no insurance company will pay when you are knocked and you are injured or die by crossing a road and not a flyover? there is no compensation," Passaris said.

Passaris, who was talking while watching some Kenyans crossing busy highways dangerously, said people have to become orderly.

“I don’t know. What should the government do? Put rails, and then you’ll jump over the rails? This is insane. We have to become orderly; it is so important," she added.

According to Passaris, Kenyans who avoid using footbridges should be arrested as a way of teaching them a lesson.

"Flyovers are investments to keep you safe, you should use them. All those Kenyans who cross the road underneeth the flyovers should be arrested. If we arrest them and put them in the cell for one day properly, they will learn," she stated.

Pedestrians ignore footbridges

Meanwhile, more than 300 pedestrians were arrested by authorities along Nairobi's Outer Ring Road for crossing the highway instead of using the footbridges.

Those arrested were bundled into police vehicles and presented before the City Court where they were fined between KSh 500 and KSh 3,000.

The Nation reports that arrestees who were unable to pay the fines will spend the weekend in the police cells.

According to Chief Inspector Stephen Njoroge, the operation was conducted through the joint forces of the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) and the Kenya Police.