Thika, Outering roads among five leading contributors to road deaths in Nairobi
Pedestrians remain the most vulnerable road users, accounting for 38 per cent of the casualties, followed by motorcyclists at 25 per cent.
Statistics show that five roads in Nairobi are among the most hazardous, contributing to 39 per cent of the city’s road fatalities, according to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).
These roads include Outering Road, Eastern Bypass, Thika Superhighway, Waiyaki Way, and Northern Bypass.
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According to NTSA Director General George Njao, pedestrians remain the most vulnerable road users, accounting for 38 per cent of the casualties, followed by motorcyclists at 25 per cent.
NTSA data also indicates that Nairobi leads nationally in road accidents, contributing to 37 per cent of crashes.
In a meeting on Thursday, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and NTSA Director General George Njao pledged to restore order and enhance safety in the city’s transport system.
The two unveiled a comprehensive plan to address key challenges, including regulating public transport, enforcing traffic laws, and eliminating illegal bus stages.
Sakaja said plans are underway to establish a monitoring centre in partnership with NTSA to oversee the conduct of registered public service vehicles (PSVs).
The centre, he said, will utilise technology to track compliance with traffic laws, thereby improving accountability and safety.
“We will soon meet with PSV stakeholders to address issues such as the new bus route plan, parking, uniform requirements, and speeding. Order in the sector will be a reality,” Sakaja said.
He added that the county will implement a registration system for boda boda riders to ensure accountability and proper coordination of their operations.
Billboards
The Governor also raised concerns over the growing number of billboards in Nairobi, citing their potential to obstruct visibility and compromise road safety.
“We cannot allow billboards to be placed everywhere. There must be regulations to limit their number on specific roads,” he said.
Njao emphasised the importance of a collaborative, technology-driven approach to enhance road safety.
“NTSA and Nairobi County must deploy multi-pronged, technology-driven strategies to achieve a safe and reliable transport system,” he said.
He highlighted the establishment of the Nairobi County Transport Safety Committee (CTSC) as a significant step towards reducing road accidents by 50 per cent.
The CTSC, operational under the NTSA Act of 2012, is tasked with implementing the National Road Safety Action Plan at the county level. It will also oversee county-specific safety initiatives to ensure the safety of all road users.
Njao pledged NTSA’s full support for Nairobi’s efforts, including regulating PSVs, enforcing designated drop-off points, and using real-time traffic monitoring systems like the Intelligent Road Safety Management System (IRSMS).
“We are committed to ensuring every PSV operates within its designated route to streamline traffic and enhance passenger safety,” he said.
The NTSA and Nairobi County Government affirmed their commitment to working together to establish an efficient and safe transportation system, aiming to make Nairobi’s roads safer for all users.
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