- Ogut said statistics were conducted between the months of January and April.
- It shows that pedestrians account for the largest number of fatalities, followed by motorbikes, passengers, and drivers.
Image: KIPLANGAT KIRUI
The National Transport and Safety Authority has said about 1,214 lives were lost in road accidents in the last three months.
NTSA Deputy Director, Safety, Audit and Inspection Eng Christine Ogut said data was a worrisome trend, with fatalities increasing by five per cent compared to the same period last year.
Ogut said statistics were conducted between the months of January and April and shows that pedestrians account for the largest number of fatalities, followed by motorbikes, passengers, and drivers.
In 2023, close to 3,609 people lost their lives in road accidents while in 2022 at least 4,690 people died on Kenyan roads.
She made the remarks during a comprehensive operation aimed at raising awareness about road safety, particularly on the Kaplong-Bomet-Mulot-Narok roads.
The director said following the increase in road accidents, the authority has launched operations countrywide by increasing safety measures to tackle the road menace.
“The NTSA has intensified efforts to engage with drivers and matatu Saccos, summoning them for sensitisation sessions on road safety protocols,” Ogut said.
The official said the inspections and sensitisation efforts are aimed at educating drivers and road users on the importance of responsible road usage.
“We have identified the lack of speed limiters in vehicles, particularly public service vehicles, as a significant contributing factor to accidents. Also, speed is the leading cause of accidents on our roads which accounts for 70 per cent of the accidents,” she said.
Ogut said they are committed to auditing different sections of the country's roads, providing reports, and advising road agencies on measures to curb accidents in specific regions.
“We are currently assessing road conditions and providing recommendations to enhance safety,” Ogut said.
On Sunday, Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the country is losing an average of 3,500 lives through road accidents annually.
While saying concerted efforts need to be done by all Kenyans to stop the menace, Murkomen said road users should be responsible.
Speaking in Narok, Murkomen said since independence, there has not been a clear strategy to curb the road menace.
“The road carnage is a national catastrophe; the fight should be all inclusive by not blaming my ministry alone. We need to work as a team to tackle it,” Murkomen said.
He said the currently rising road accidents are a result of impunity by drivers who fail to adhere to the traffic rules and regulations.
Murkomen decried lack of resources to empower the NTSA and traffic officers saying it has led to the officers not discharging their duties as mandated.
“Since independence, the traffic department has been facing inadequate funds for these officers who are key in fighting the menace,” he said.
The CS also said plans are underway for technological installation and instant fining to serve as a deterrence to the vice.
He said a regulation is currently at the Attorney General’s office and the Parliament in addition to real time mobile cameras fitted in all motor vehicles to help in accountability over accidents.