Kenya unveils tough new road safety blueprint to end blackspots, crack down on rogue drivers

The government has unveiled a five-year National Road Safety Action Plan that outlines major infrastructure projects, stricter regulations, and new enforcement tools aimed at reducing accidents and improving road safety.

Launched on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, the plan introduces automated traffic enforcement, tougher standards for imported vehicles, and new school transport rules.

According to the Ministry of Transport, the blueprint will be rolled out over the next five years and will involve sweeping reforms to both road infrastructure and traffic laws.

Among the major projects highlighted are the dualling of the Kwa Jomvu–Mariakani road, the capacity enhancement of the Nyali–Mtwapa–Kilifi road, and the upgrading of the Kitale–Morpus road along the Kenya–South Sudan corridor. The government also confirmed plans to expand the Rironi–Mau Summit highway, linking Nairobi to Nakuru, which the ministry said is expected to reduce the high number of accidents along the busy route.

“Existing roads have been placed under performance contracting maintenance to attend to routine maintenance needs, including road signage, high-visibility lane markings, safety fences,” the action plan reads in part.

Footbridges

The Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) has also begun constructing 13 footbridges with pedestrian fencing on the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) corridor along Nairobi’s Outer Ring Road.

Progress has been reported on the dualling of Ngata Bridge in Nakuru County, a section long considered dangerous due to frequent heavy goods vehicle crashes.

“Realignment of the Bonje area, grade separation works at Gitaru–Rungiri, and reconfiguration of Coptic Roundabout along Kisumu–Kakamega highway are all ongoing,” the Ministry of Transport said.

Several projects have already been completed, including the Kibarani/Makupa Causeway, road widening and traffic separation on the Salgaa–Sachangwan stretch, and the installation of gantry signs and improved signage along the Kinungi–Ihindu–Karai section.

Speed checks

The action plan also introduces fresh enforcement measures targeting high-risk driving behaviours. Speed checks are being automated through smart cameras that can instantly detect violations and issue fines. Driver testing has also been automated to improve the quality of motorists licensed to operate on Kenyan roads.

To strengthen vehicle safety, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has imposed tougher rules for imported used vehicles from major supply countries, including Japan, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates.

The Ministry of Transport further confirmed that the Schools Transport Regulations, 2025, will soon be rolled out to govern the operation of school buses.

Rogue drivers

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• crack down on rogue drivers

Meanwhile, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) will continue cracking down on rogue drivers, non-compliant speed limiters and matatu saccos.

“Through this strategy, many public transport operators and drivers/conductors have been sanctioned through compliance orders, suspensions of Sacco operations, suspensions of driving licenses, among others,” reads the action plan.

To address the rising cases of drink driving, the government has developed new measures under the Traffic (Drink Driving) Regulations, 2025.

“As a way of dealing with the challenge of driving under the influence of alcohol, another major risk behaviour, the Traffic (Drink Driving) Regulations, 2025, have also been developed,” adds the plan.