Garissa, Mandera roads among the safest while Thika Rd leads in fatalities - NTSA

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has released data on the most dangerous roads in Nairobi for the month of October.

Nairobi and Nakuru were the leading counties in October registering 39 and 35 fatalities respectively.

Garissa, Mandera, Elgeyo Marakwet, Lamu, Nandi, Taita Taveta and Tana River counties had one fatality each during the month.

In October 2023, there were 330 fatalities resulting from road traffic crashes compared to 361 in October 2022.

According to NTSA, Nairobi County had the highest number of pedestrian deaths at 21.

The transport regulator said the Thika Superhighway and Thika Road lead with the most fatalities in the capital during the month of October with three.

The majority of the motorcyclists and pillion passengers (four) were killed along the Thika Superhighway.

It's followed by the Southern Bypass, Outering Road, Northern Bypass Road, Kangundo Road and Eastern Bypass with two fatalities each.

Other roads listed as dangerous include Chiromo Road, East Capital Apartment Lane, Forest Road, Kabiria Road, North Airport Road and Savannah Road which recorded one fatality each.

National Statistics

Nationally, 903 people had serious injuries while 647 recorded slight injuries.

"The highest number of road fatalities was pedestrian deaths at 39.09 per cent. In the same period last year, this category of road users’ contribution was 38.5 per cent. Vulnerable road users (pedestrians, motorcyclists, pillion passengers and pedal cyclists) contributed to 78.8 per cent of all deaths in October 2023," NTSA said in its report.

In this year alone, NTSA recorded 3,609 fatalities, a decline of 327 from 3,936 fatalities in the same period last year.

Nakuru County had the highest number of passenger fatalities at eight followed by Kisumu and Nairobi with six and four fatalities respectively.

Nairobi and Kilifi counties had the highest number of motorcyclist and pillion passenger fatalities at 11 and nine respectively followed by Kiambu which had eight fatalities.

NTSA said most of the fatal road traffic crashes occurred between 5.00 pm and 9.00 pm with the peak being at 8.00 pm.

"This is largely attributed to reduced enforcement during these times, high volumes of traffic and pedestrians due to the rush hour, pedestrians crossing at non-designated or unsafe areas and getting knocked down by speeding vehicles, poor lighting at the pedestrian crossing points and major highways and driver fatigue," NTSA said.

Sunday was identified as the day with the highest number of fatalities in October 2023 with 63 deaths.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday contributed to the highest number of fatalities at 50 per cent.

The major human factors that contributed to road traffic crashes in October include losing control due to excessive speeding and distracted driving, lane indiscipline and improper overtaking, improper crossing of the road, turning without due care, walking on the road and brake failure.