Are Kenyan Roads Safe? NTSA Marks UN Road Safety Week Amid Grim Statistics
According to NTSA, an average of 12 Kenyans die daily in road crashes, with recent incidents underscoring the urgency of the crisis.
Kenya marks UN Global Road Safety Week as NTSA battles rising road accident concerns across the country. Photo/KNA.
By Levin Kiprop
As Kenya joined the world in commemorating the United Nations Global Road Safety Week on May 14, 2025, serious concerns remain over the safety of the country’s roads.
Despite continuous efforts by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), road accidents remain a persistent menace across the country.
According to NTSA, an average of 12 Kenyans die daily in road crashes, with recent incidents underscoring the urgency of the crisis.
A tragic example occurred recently in Nairobi, where a matatu nicknamed “Uppercut” crashed, killing one passenger and injuring 23 others—yet another grim reminder of the daily toll taken by unsafe roads.
NTSA’s latest report reveals that between January 1 and March 31, 2025, at least 1,139 people lost their lives in road accidents. Pedestrians and motorcyclists remain the most affected groups.
While the figure marks a slight decline of 2.5 percent from the 1,168 deaths reported in the same period in 2024, the situation remains alarming.
Beyond the human cost, road accidents are also a significant economic burden. NTSA estimates that road carnage costs Kenya nearly KSh 450 billion annually, threatening economic stability as the country prepares to enter a new financial year.
In response, NTSA, in collaboration with the Ministry of Roads and Transport, launched the Kenya National Road Safety Plan 2024–2028, aiming to reduce road fatalities by 50 percent by the year 2030.
The plan includes a series of public education campaigns, safety initiatives, and stricter enforcement measures.
NTSA is urging all road users to take personal responsibility and follow traffic regulations to help curb the rising road carnage. While progress has been made, the question lingers: Are Kenyan roads truly safe?
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