NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PASSES ROADS AMENDMENT BILL TO PROVIDE DEDICATED TRACKS FOR NON-MOTORISED TRANSPORT Nairobi, August 13, 2026.

The Bill, formally known as the Kenya Roads (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 31 of 2024) and sponsored by Samburu West Member of Parliament Naisula Lesuuda, amends the Kenya Roads Act to place a clear obligation on road agencies and county governments. It requires the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) and county governments to incorporate cycling lanes, pedestrian walkways and other non-motorised infrastructure on both new roads and existing roads under their control. These facilities must be separated from tracks used by motorised vehicles.

The legislation defines key terms, including non-motorised transport as all forms of travel that do not rely on an engine or motor—encompassing walking, cycling and the use of mobility assistance devices—and non-motorised vehicles such as bicycles, wheelchairs and scooters. It further distinguishes cycling tracks and pedestrian walkways as parts of the road exclusively reserved for those users and physically separated from motorised lanes.

During debate and in the committee stage, members emphasised that the measure addresses long-standing safety and equity concerns. An estimated 70 per cent of paved roads currently lack adequate infrastructure for non-motorised users. Supporters argued that integrating dedicated facilities will reduce accidents involving pedestrians, cyclists and persons with disabilities, improve accessibility and promote walking and cycling as viable, dignified modes of transport.



The Bill also assigns enforcement responsibilities to traffic police, who will ensure that motorised vehicles do not encroach on the dedicated lanes and that the safety of non-motorised users is protected. Penalties for violations, including fines of up to Sh1 million or imprisonment of up to one year, have been proposed in related discussions around the legislation.

Implementation is expected to be phased. Earlier versions of the proposals included a transitional period of up to 15 years to allow for the adaptation of existing infrastructure, though members during debate pressed for faster action on new roads and major upgrades. Cost estimates circulating during consideration of the Bill indicated that a nationwide rollout could require approximately Sh182 billion, with an initial allocation of around Sh30 billion in the first year.

The passage of the Bill marks a significant step in aligning Kenya’s road design standards with inclusive mobility principles. Proponents, including Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris who backed the measure during earlier debate, described it as prioritising people over vehicles and ensuring equity in access to public infrastructure.

The Bill now proceeds to the Senate for consideration. If approved by the upper House and assented to by the President, the amendments will become law, compelling road authorities to factor non-motorised transport into all future designs and major reconstructions.

Road safety advocates and urban planning experts have long called for such provisions, citing the high number of pedestrian and cyclist fatalities on Kenyan roads. Officials from the relevant agencies will be required to integrate the new standards into their planning and budgeting processes once the legislation is fully enacted.

The National Assembly’s approval of the Bill on Wednesday underscores Parliament’s growing focus on sustainable and inclusive transport infrastructure as Kenya continues to expand its road network.