Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has warned residents against misusing the city’s newly improved cabro walkways and dumping waste on them, urging the public to help maintain the facilities as the county invests in pedestrian infrastructure and street lighting.

Sakaja said the investment in non-motorised transport was aimed at providing a better walking environment for the millions of people who visit and work in the Central Business District (CBD) daily.

“We have invested heavily in walkways and non-motorised transport. Every city with high levels of tourism has walkability. People need to walk in a better environment,” the Governor said.

He noted that Nairobi’s CBD attracts an estimated seven million people during the day, making it important to provide and maintain safe, accessible walkways for residents, workers and visitors.

The Governor said the county plans to extend quality pedestrian walkways to more parts of Nairobi, pointing to improvements along key routes, including the corridor from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) towards ABC Place in Westlands.

Sakaja said the county had set aside funds for maintenance and deployed Green Army teams to clean public spaces. However, he called on residents to join the county in keeping the facilities in good condition.

“We have a maintenance budget, and we have teams from the Green Army who clean. It is about all of us joining hands and supporting the maintenance of these walkways,” he said.

He cautioned residents against riding bicycles on the pedestrian paths, saying the walkways were built specifically to provide space for people to walk.

“Let us not misuse them. No bikes on the walkways. They are for our people to walk, and we must take responsibility for them,” Sakaja said.

The Governor also urged residents to stop illegal dumping, warning that careless disposal of waste could affect the condition and appearance of the improved public spaces.

He said the county was combining the installation of cabro walkways with street lighting to improve safety and make walking more convenient, including in the evening.

“Our vision is to make sure every corner of the city is covered. Let us stop dumping in these places; they are beautiful. Walk at 6 pm and see people walking, with lighting that is now following the cabro. It will cover Nairobi,” he said.

The county government has linked the improvement of walkways, drainage and street lighting to its wider urban renewal plans, which seek to improve the appearance, accessibility and use of public spaces.

Sakaja also invited private companies, corporations and other partners to work with the county in maintaining public infrastructure. He said joint efforts would help protect the investment and ensure the facilities continue serving residents.

“We welcome partnerships with people and corporations so that we can work together to maintain public places,” he said.

He emphasised that maintaining the facilities would require more than construction and routine cleaning, with the public also expected to use them responsibly.