Safaricom and MOA launch road safety campaign

Safaricom and the Media Owners Association have partnered with leading private and public sector organisations to launch a nationwide campaign on road safety. The team has also formed a National Road Safety Trust that will spearhead the initiative geared towards addressing the high rates of road carnage. The trust brings together government, private sector and the civil society in a collaborative endeavour to address factors that have contributed to increased traffic related injuries and fatalities.

During a stakeholder workshop to discuss a roadmap for the Trust, the team said the initiative will be launched later in the month. They have requested the President to serve as the Trust’s patron. A nine member Board of Trustees comprising representatives from Safaricom, the Media Owners Association, the police, the government, various road safety stakeholders, and other private sector players will coordinate the activities of the Trust.

The objectives of the Trust include advocating for sound road safety behaviour and initiating sustainable road safety and traffic campaigns alongside advancing road safety educational program. Safaricom chief executive and Trust Co-Founder, Bob Collymore said not enough has been done to address the problem. “Road accidents claim 10 people a day, yet we are not giving this problem the same focus as we give terror related activities that kill 30-40 annually,” Collymore said.

“One of the most powerful legacies of this government is infrastructural development. Kenyans however lack the requisite education on how to deal with the same infrastructure. Public education and awareness creation will therefore play a big role in mitigating the rising cases of road accidents,” said Kiprono Kittony, the chair of the Media Owners Association.

The Media Owners Association, a key partner in this initiative, have committed dedicated print and electronic coverage for the duration of the campaign. The event was also attended by the Matatu Owners Association’s chairman Simon Kimutai, National Oil Corporation’s managing director Sumaiya Athman and representatives from the insurance sector.