Pedestrians and cyclists could soon have a stronger claim to road space after the National Assembly passed a Bill seeking to make dedicated facilities for non-motorised transport a mandatory part of road construction across Kenya.
The Kenya Roads (Amendment) Bill, 2024, sponsored by Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda, seeks to amend the Kenya Roads Act, Cap. 408, by requiring road agencies and county governments to include infrastructure for people who walk, cycle and use other forms of non-motorised transport when developing new roads or upgrading existing ones.
The proposed law targets Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) and county governments, placing them under an obligation to provide facilities such as cycling lanes, cycling tracks, pedestrian walkways and pedestrian crossings.
Under the Bill, a cycling lane would provide a “designated space for cyclists”, while pedestrian walkways would offer safer areas for people travelling on foot. The facilities are expected to be separated from motorised traffic to reduce the risk of collisions and improve safety.
The legislation comes as pedestrians and cyclists continue to share road space with vehicles in many parts of the country, particularly along busy highways and urban roads. The lack of dedicated infrastructure has left many vulnerable road users exposed to traffic, while pedestrian paths are often obstructed by parked vehicles, traders and other activities.
Lesuuda's proposal seeks to change how roads are planned by requiring the needs of non-motorised transport users to be considered from the design stage rather than being addressed after construction.
If implemented, the law could lead to more continuous walkways, safer road crossings and dedicated cycling facilities, especially in towns and urban centres where growing traffic has increased competition for limited road space.
The Bill also seeks to improve accessibility for people using wheelchairs and other mobility devices, who often face difficulties navigating roads and public spaces that were not designed with their needs in mind.
Police would also be empowered to enforce the use of designated non-motorised transport facilities. The provision is aimed at preventing motorists, traders and other users from occupying spaces reserved for pedestrians and cyclists.
Beyond road safety, the legislation could support wider efforts to promote walking and cycling as legitimate means of transport. Millions of Kenyans rely on non-motorised transport to get to workplaces, schools, markets and other destinations.
Walking and cycling can also help reduce pressure on roads and lower vehicle emissions, making investment in such infrastructure relevant to cleaner and more sustainable transport systems.
The passage of the Bill marks a major step in Lesuuda's legislative push and could give counties and road agencies a clearer framework for incorporating non-motorised transport into road projects and budgets.
The next stages of the law-making process will determine whether the proposals become law. Their eventual impact, however, will depend on how effectively road agencies and county governments translate the requirements into actual infrastructure on the ground.