A joint inspection by engineers from the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (Kura) and Eastland’s residents along the 13-kilometre Outering Road has reinforced ongoing efforts to enhance safety on one of Nairobi’s busiest transport corridors. The Tuesday walk-through from Taj Mall to Donholm created a platform for collaboration between residents and officials, enabling a shared review of the road’s infrastructure, with particular focus on street lighting and guardrails.
Kura engineer Justus Onyinkwa, who led the exercise, reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to improving conditions along the corridor. He noted that while vandalism of underground power cables has posed challenges to maintaining street lighting, Kura has continued to carry out repairs to keep the road functional. Onyinkwa said the engagement with residents was valuable in identifying priority areas for action.
As part of forward looking solutions, Kura plans to transition to solar-powered streetlights, a move expected to provide more reliable lighting and reduce disruptions linked to cable vandalism. Onyinkwa added that enhanced patrols along the road would further support safety and security, especially during night hours.
Pedestrian safety was also highlighted during the inspection, the agency is reviewing possible improvements, including enhanced lighting where required to improve visibility and user safety. He emphasized that Kura has already installed 17 pedestrian facilities – including footbridges, underpasses and walkways – at intervals of less than 500 metres, aligning with international safety standards, with lighting identified as a key support feature in high-traffic sections.
Looking ahead, Kura said it is working closely with NTSA, police, NAMATA and the Nairobi County Government through a coordinated, multi-agency approach to strengthen road safety. The authority also pointed to the planned Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system along the road’s median, which is expected to further improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety alongside improved street lighting along critical sections when it begins in 2026.
