Safe Steps to School
Project theme: Sustainable, Inclusive and Active Mobility (SIAM) solutions; Speed reduction
BY mARY ABUNGU
Safe Steps to School aims to improve child safety around high-traffic school zones in Nairobi by reducing vehicle speeds and promoting inclusive walking and cycling infrastructure. The project will identify crash trends and infrastructure gaps, followed by a road safety inspection at a high-risk school.
Immediate, low-cost interventions such as signage and road markings will be implemented, with high-cost recommendations shared with authorities. Focused on children aged 6–14, the project will deliver safer crossings, enhanced visibility, and greater road safety awareness, while advocating for city-wide school zone safety reforms and inclusive, non-motorised transport planning.
ABOUT THE PROJECT LEAD
mARY ABUNGU
Mary Abungu was born in Nairobi, Kenya and is a passionate Transportation Engineer and Road Safety Specialist with a Master of Science in Transport Engineering, Planning, and Management from Newcastle University, in the UK.
She specialises in sustainable mobility, road safety, and transport planning and is the founder of SUMO Africa, an NGO committed to enhancing sustainable transportation solutions. Additionally, she is actively involved in empowering women and youth through education and skills development and ensuring inclusive and equitable access to opportunities in the transport sector.
Impact snapshots
Conducted desktop research on crash trends and infrastructure gaps.
Undertook school zone inspection of traffic patterns.
Completed Star Rating for Schools safety assessment of Naivasha Road zone.
