NTSA Deputy Director and Head of Motor Vehicles Inspection Eng Opere Nyaroya addressing the press in Machakos county on November 16, 2025./GEORGE OWITI
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has called for concerted efforts among Kenyans to reduce road carnage during this festive season.
The Authority's Deputy Director and Head of Motor Vehicle Inspection, Eng. Opere Nyaroya said they were determined to reduce road fatalities by at least 50 per cent during the December holidays.
This, Nyaroya said, is in line with the National Road Safety Action Plan 2024–2029.
"We appeal to the public: let's join together to save lives and ensure that our roads are safe and better, and our transport is sustainable and reliable," Nyaroya said.
He addressed the press during the World Day of Remembrance celebrations in Machakos County on Sunday.
Nyaroya presided over the day's Lower Eastern region celebrations hosted by the regional director, Roseline Oloo, at the Machakos Bus Park.
The World Day of Remembrance is a day set by the United Nations to remember victims of road crashes.
This year's theme was lost talents.
"The question is: what is it about lost talents that we remember on this day as we mark the World Day of Remembrance? Causes of road crashes include failure to observe traffic rules, careless driving, failure to service motor vehicles, failure to observe basic principles, drunk driving, chewing miraa while driving, talking on phones while driving, riding a motorcycle without helmets and reflective jackets, and crossing roads without observing rules or at non-designated points. All these contribute to traffic fatalities," Nyaroya said.
"On this day, we reflect, appeal, and work together with other road players and stakeholders. When we reflect on this, the question we ask ourselves is: what do we do to prevent such fatalities?" he stated.
Nyaroya said the NTSA Lower Eastern region office has strong collaboration with road agencies, including KeNHA, KURA, and KERRA, alongside the county governments of Machakos, Makueni, Kitui and Kajiado.
He said they also continue collaborating well with SACCOs, PSV operators, driving schools, bodaboda riders, and the general public.
Nyaroya said losing talents to road carnage means losing people before they achieve their full potential.
"We don’t want, as a county, region, sector, or country, to lose people who haven’t reached their full potential. Let someone grow and die naturally as God would permit, and not unnecessarily because someone didn’t do his or her part effectively as a road user. This year, that’s our clarion call—to prevent these kinds of losses of life. We want to work collaboratively," he said.
He asked all driving schools in the country to do their best and churn out quality drivers.
"We have agreed with bodaboda riders and pillion passengers to observe traffic rules, put on reflector jackets and helmets, and not carry excess passengers. They should carry one pillion passenger. Matatu drivers should also carry allowable numbers," Nyaroya added.
He urged all motorists to ensure their vehicles are well serviced, with good seats and functional seat belts, and reminded passengers to fasten their seat belts once they board.
He appealed to the public to join together to ensure that roads are safer and transport remains sustainable and reliable.
