Kenya’s Ministry of Roads and Transport has sounded the alarm after a sharp rise in fatal road accidents claimed 80 lives in just four days, pushing the national toll for the year to 2,933.
Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, speaking on Monday, offered condolences to bereaved families and urged road users to exercise caution, warning that the crisis was both predictable and preventable.
The latest crashes, which involved public service, private and commercial vehicles, have triggered a multi-agency safety audit of high-risk road segments. Officials are inspecting sites, identifying hazards and reconstructing crash scenes to establish causes. The review is expected to be completed within a week, with technical recommendations to follow.
Chirchir said the government was accelerating both short and long-term measures under the National Road Safety Action Plan 2024–2028. Legislative reforms are in advanced stages, targeting school transport, commercial vehicle operations, drink-driving, motor vehicle inspection, roadside facilities and a review of the Traffic Act.
Infrastructure upgrades are also underway, including the redesign of the notorious Nithi Bridge and the dualling of the Rironi–Mau Summit Road, both linked to multiple fatal accidents in recent years.
The National Transport and Safety Authority will step up public education and awareness campaigns aimed at changing driver behaviour and attitudes.
Chirchir appealed to all road users to adhere strictly to traffic laws, speed limits and maintenance standards. “Safety is not optional. It is a shared responsibility that safeguards lives,” he said.
Kenya’s roads have long been among the most dangerous in the region, with poor driver discipline, lax enforcement and unsafe infrastructure frequently cited as causes. The ministry hopes a coordinated push from government, transport operators and the public can stem the rising tide of fatali
