A new study has laid bare the sorry state of walking infrastructure in African secondary cities, exposing how poor planning and limited investment continue to endanger pedestrians—despite walking being the primary mode of transport in the region.
Comparative research, conducted in Nakuru, Kenya, and Jinja, Uganda, by Gladys Nyachieo from Multimedia University of Kenya, Leonard Mwesigwa from Inclusive Green Growth, Uganda, and Paschalin Basil from University of Nairobi’s Institute for Development Studies, reveals that pedestrians in both cities do not only face crumbling sidewalks, but are also confronted by poor infrastructure that lack safety features.
The findings, based on an extensive field audit using Pedestrian Level of Service (PLOS) framework, assessed five core indicators of pedestrian infrastructure: dimension, safety, security, comfort, and convenience.
“Despite the fact that walking is a dominant mode of transport in African cities, infrastructure for pedestrians is either missing or poorly maintained,” the researchers noted, describing conditions that discourage walking and put lives at risk in the region.
The study found that most walkways in both cities fail to meet even basic standards for space. For instance, while Nakuru became the fourth city in Kenya in December 2021, only 38% of sidewalks were deemed complete. In Jinja, the figure was 37%. The study described majority of pathways as narrow, discontinuous, or simply non-existent—forcing pedestrians to share space with fast-moving vehicles.
“There are limited route options, and pedestrians often have to navigate through congested, unsafe environments. This not only affects walkability but also restricts access to essential services,” said Dr. Nyachieo, the consortium’s lead researcher from MMU.
While safety is a key issue in any mobility ecosystem, the study audit found that pedestrians in both cities face high exposure to vehicular traffic, with sidewalks often merging directly into roads without any buffer zones or protective features.
In Jinja, 68% of sidewalks were obstructed by poles and signage, while in Nakuru, parked vehicles blocked 39% of pathways.
“Pedestrians are forced to walk dangerously close to moving traffic. This creates daily risk, especially for children, the elderly, and people with disabilities,” reads the study.
This problem is compounded by inadequate street lighting that is crucial for pedestrian safety at night. The study revealed that 61% of streets in Jinja and 52% in Nakuru lacked any form of lighting and that lighting that exists, is largely road-oriented and not designed for pedestrians.
“Lack of proper lighting increases the risk of crime and road accidents. The environment simply does not support safe walking, especially after dark,” said Dr. Nyachieo, revealing that their study found most sidewalks in Jinja riddled with holes and cracks, while many walkways remained obstructed or weather-beaten in Nakuru.
The researchers argue that improving walking infrastructure is not just a transport issue, but a social and economic imperative.
The study calls for city-specific Non-Motorized Transport (NMT) policies, better planning, and inclusive governance to ensure safe, secure, and dignified mobility, urging that without urgent interventions, walking—which should be the most accessible and equitable form of mobility—could become a daily hazard for millions.
The research was fully funded by Volvo Research and Education Foundation (VREF).
By Nicanor Ndiege