According to the latest data released by the National Transport Safety Authority (NTSA), at least 3,760 people have lost their lives through road accidents between January and October 15.
NTSA Director General George Ngao noted that highly urbanized counties reported higher fatality rates, attributed to increased motorization and population.
Motorcyclists recorded the highest number of incidents and accounted for 1,213 deaths due to disregard of traffic laws.
“Unfortunately, this year, by 15th October 2023, we have lost 3,760 souls and 15,731 serious and slight injuries,” he said.
As Kenyans head to the festive season, NTSA has embarked on a countrywide road safety sensitization exercise.
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NTSA is undertaking the exercise with key stakeholders coinciding with Sunday’s marking of the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.
Further, Njao has called for caution on the roads, asking motorists to observe all the traffic regulations to curb rising accidents and fatalities on Kenyan roads.
“How many roads are paved in our country? How many people are we losing every other day if we will not do adjudicating continue for road safety as required? “he said.
In October, NTSA unveiled the National Road Safety Action Plan (2023- 2027), which aims to achieve a 50 percent reduction in deaths and severe injuries in designated high-risk demonstration corridors and urban areas.
State Department of Transport Permanent Secretary Mohamed Daghar emphasized the urgent need for coordinated road safety efforts involving national and county governments to enhance safety on Kenyan roads.
“We cannot be losing over 4000 people every year, and that is just part of it. Accidents cause permanent disabilities, we create widows and orphans,” Daghar said.
“We collapse an entire household because the breadwinner is lost. The net effect of this road safety challenge is beyond understanding,” he noted.
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