Green Park Underpass to Host 24-Hour Police Patrols, Shops for Pedestrian Safety

Nairobi, Kenya — September 24, 2025, 15:20 EAT.

The government announced plans to deploy round-the-clock police patrols and retail outlets in the Green Park pedestrian underpass at the Haile Selassie–Uhuru Highway roundabout to boost security and convenience for the more than 21,000 pedestrians who use the junction daily.

The Latest

• During an inspection tour with KeNHA officials, Roads Principal Secretary Joseph Mbugua confirmed that the underpass project is proceeding on schedule and will include continuous police presence.

• “Over 21,000 pedestrians use the Haile Selassie–Uhuru Highway roundabout daily,” Mbugua stated, underscoring the need for heightened safety.

• The underpass will house retail outlets, and the presence of shops is intended both to serve pedestrians and deter criminality inside the facility.

Context in Brief

• The Sh2 billion Green Park underpass is a flagship urban mobility project in Nairobi, designed to streamline pedestrian flow beneath the congested Haile Selassie–Uhuru intersection. 

• The project is being executed by KeNHA, with support from national government agencies, and is nearing completion. 

• Earlier plans had flagged that shops would operate 24/7 within the underpass to discourage misuse or unsafe conditions in off-hours. 

Law, Policy & Process

• Under Kenya’s urban transport and road safety policies, pedestrian infrastructure must integrate safety measures such as surveillance, policing, lighting, and mixed use (commercial + passage).

• The integration of retail outlets into public pedestrian projects is not new and is often used globally to generate foot traffic and passive surveillance (crime deterrence).

• The official inspection and scheduling authority lies with the Roads Ministry and KeNHA, which must coordinate with the National Police Service for deployment of security personnel.

Voices & Stakeholders

• PS Joseph Mbugua (Roads): “We will ensure police patrols operate 24-hours and that the underpass is safe and convenient.”

• KeNHA engineers / project leads: Responsible for structural, lighting, CCTV, and commercial design elements.

• Commuters / Pedestrians: Will benefit from safer, uninterrupted access beneath high-traffic roads.

• Retail tenants / shop operators: Expected to operate within the underpass, contributing to both safety and revenue.

Evidence & Data Box

Risks, Implications & Scenarios

• Effective security enforcement: Merely deploying police doesn’t guarantee deterrence unless adequately staffed, equipped, and rotated.

• Commercial viability: Retail outlets must attract enough footfall and income to justify their space and maintenance costs.

• Maintenance & supervision: Poor lighting, surveillance failures or breakdowns may erode safety quickly.

• Vandalism or misuse: Without active policing and community buy-in, vandalism may proliferate especially in off-hours.

What We Don’t Know Yet

• Exact number of police officers assigned, shifts, resources, or budget for patrols.

• The criteria by which shops will be selected for the underpass (rental, duration, security vetting).

• Whether there are provisions for monitoring, audits, complaints, or community oversight.

• Timelines for full handover, opening, and transition from construction to operational mode.

Timeline

What to Watch

• Official inauguration date and full operation commencement.

• Rollout of security protocols (patrol schedules, CCTV, barriers).

• First wave of shop tenants and compliance with safety / licensing rules.

• Early reports from pedestrians on security, cleanliness, and accessibility.