Police probes spike in fatal crashes on Kenyan roads as over 50 dead in three days
Police noted that most crashes are preventable if road users avoid risky behaviours such as speeding, reckless overtaking, drink-driving, overloading, driver fatigue, and careless road crossing.
The National Police Service (NPS) has launched comprehensive investigations into the recent spike in road crashes across the country.
In a statement on Sunday, NPS spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said police are working with other state agencies to swiftly determine the causes of the crashes.
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The announcement comes during a deadly stretch on Kenyan roads, with more than 50 fatalities recorded in just 72 hours.
“In the last few days, we have witnessed a spate of road accidents across the country. As a Service, we extend our condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones and wish a quick recovery to those recovering in hospitals,” Nyaga said.
“The National Police Service is working collaboratively with various state agencies to conduct thorough and expeditious investigations to determine the causes of these accidents. Road crashes cause immense suffering to the affected families, and every possible measure must be taken to prevent further loss of life.”
Police noted that most crashes are preventable if road users avoid risky behaviours such as speeding, reckless overtaking, drink-driving, overloading, driver fatigue, and careless road crossing.
Preventable
“The vast majority of these accidents are preventable if road users change their behaviour by avoiding speeding, dangerous overtaking, drink-driving, overloading, driver fatigue, and careless road crossing,” the NPS said.
“It should be appreciated that life is not only precious but irreplaceable. To effectively prevent deaths on our roads, all stakeholders in road transport must play their rightful roles.”
Passengers have been urged to report reckless or erratic driving through toll-free numbers 999, 911, and 112, the hashtag #FichuakwaDCI, WhatsApp on 0709 570 000, or the toll-free line 0800 722 203.
The NPS said it is stepping up enforcement in partnership with other agencies through several measures.
These include monitoring the speed of public service vehicles (PSVs) and commercial trucks, enforcing passenger and cargo limits, cracking down on unlicensed PSV routes, conducting anti-drink-driving operations, removing unlawful vehicle lighting, verifying National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) licences, taking unroadworthy vehicles off the roads, and ensuring PSV Saccos comply with regulations.
The Service urged all road users to take responsibility for their own safety and that of others.
Devastating crashes
Recent crashes have been particularly devastating. On Saturday, two people—a woman and a minor—were killed and several others injured when an Ena Coach bus travelling from Nairobi to Kehancha, Migori County, was hit by a trailer suspected to have suffered brake failure on the Narok–Mai Mahiu Highway.
On 8 August 2025, 26 people died at the Coptic Roundabout on the Kisumu–Kakamega Highway when a school bus from AIC Naki High School, carrying between 54 and 61 mourners returning from a funeral in Nyahera, overturned. Preliminary investigations suggest the driver may have lost control due to speeding or poor road design.
A day earlier, nine Kenya Pipeline Company employees were killed near Morendat Farm in Naivasha when the bus they were travelling in collided with a train just metres from the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway.
On 9 August, another crash at Korompoi, near Kitengela on the Nairobi–Namanga Highway in Kajiado County, claimed eight lives.
Following the Kisumu tragedy, President William Ruto called on traffic officers to take firm action against those responsible and to intensify nationwide enforcement of road safety rules.
“We ask traffic enforcers to act swiftly to bring to book those responsible for any acts of negligence leading to the accident and address all traffic violations to ensure road safety across the country,” he said.
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