KeNHA begins installing speed limits along the Thika Superhighway.

A file photo of the Thika Superhighway near Blue Post Thika.

The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has commenced installing speed limits and other directional signs along Thika Superhighway.

This according to KeNHA Director General Peter Mundinia is aimed at reducing road accidents as well as promoting the safety of motorists and pedestrians.

In a statement, the DG said that the speed limits, which will be installed from Museum Hill Interchange to Thika, will conform to the design standards of the Superhighway.

Also to be installed are various signages to replace previous ones which have either been vandalised or knocked down by motorists.

“The new signages are KeNHA’s effort to reduce accidents along the busy superhighway and to promote safety of both motorists and pedestrians,” read part of the statement.

Mundinia appealed to all motorists to obey traffic discipline urging that all slow moving vehicles to keep to the outer lanes.

“Although we will be installing the speed limit signs, the various traffic regulations for the various categories of motor vehicles like PSVs and heavy commercial vehicles, among others, shall apply. Trucks and all slow moving vehicles should keep to the outer lanes,” read the statement.

KeNHA also wants matatu drivers who have no regard to the rule of law to stop blocking some outer lanes of the main carriageway to either pick or drop off passengers. This is especially rampant at Garden City, Kasarani/Roysambu area, Ruiru Interchange among other roads.

“The Authority, in liaison with the security agencies has set up surveillance teams to bring this wanton disregard of the law to a halt, and to safeguard the various road furniture against vandalism.”

According to government records, Thika Superhighway covers a total population of approximately 1 million and transverses Nairobi Metropolitan densely populated residential areas of Kasarani, Zimmerman, Kahawa, Githurai, Ruiru, Juja and ends in Thika.

Just last week, KeNHA started the construction of Witeithie footbridge along the busy highway and will be completed in December this year. Upon its completion along with three others (Njomoko, Garden City and Kenya School of Monetary Studies), KeNHA will remove all safety humps which have been installed in the four locations to ensure safety for pedestrians.

The highway, which covers a population of approximately 1 million, transverses Nairobi Metropolitan densely populated residential areas of Kasarani, Zimmerman, Kahawa, Githurai, Ruiru, Juja and ends in Thika.

It is infamous for endless accidents with more than 60% of the 400 hundred traffic related accidents involving pedestrians. Most of the accidents have been attributed to reckless driving.