Over 3,300 Kenyans killed in road crashes in first nine months of 2025, NTSA report reveals

The scene of the crash at Migaa area in Molo on the Nakuru-Eldoret highway on August 20, 2024. (Photo: Handout)

By Lucy Mumbi
Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Pedestrians account for 1,285 deaths, followed by 858 motorcyclists, 568 passengers and 309 drivers.

Over 3,300 Kenyans have lost their lives in road crashes during the first nine months of 2025, with pedestrians and motorcyclists bearing the brunt of the fatalities, new National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) data shows.

According to the National Road Safety Action Plan 2024–2028, most accidents occur in the evenings, when poor visibility, higher speeds, and alcohol consumption increase risks on the country’s busiest roads.

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The NTSA reports that 3,397 people have died in road crashes so far this year, 28 more than in the same period in 2024, with a total of 17,270 people affected, 291 more than last year. Pedestrians account for 1,285 deaths, followed by 858 motorcyclists, 568 passengers and 309 drivers.

The government has unveiled a five-year National Road Safety Action Plan aimed at addressing reckless driving, accident hotspots and high-risk behaviours such as drink-driving.

“Another major risk behaviour is driving under the influence of alcohol. To address this challenge, the Traffic (Drink Driving) Regulations, 2025, have been developed,” the NTSA said.

Data shows that fatal crashes are concentrated in the evenings, with 26 per cent of accidents in Nairobi and 30 per cent nationwide occurring between 7:00 pm and 10:00 pm, when reduced congestion, poor visibility and alcohol use heighten risk.

Police reports also indicate that 45.7 per cent of fatalities occur in just eight counties, which account for 32 per cent of the population, while five roads in Nairobi, two per cent of the county’s network, account for 36 per cent of fatal crashes.

The Action Plan incorporates automated speed checks with on-the-spot fines, stricter standards for imported used vehicles, automated driver testing and enhanced school transport regulations.

Infrastructure upgrades are also underway, including the expansion of the Rironi-Mau Summit highway, the dualling of the Kwa Jomvu-Mariakani road and improvements along the Nyali-Mtwapa-Kilifi corridor and Kitale-Morpus road connecting Kenya to South Sudan.

Additionally, blackspot interventions are being implemented at Ngata Bridge in Nakuru, Bonje in Kilifi and the Kisumu-Kakamega highway. Nairobi will also see 13 new pedestrian footbridges along the Outer Ring Road BRT corridor.

“Existing roads have been placed under performance-based maintenance contracts to ensure routine upkeep, including road signage, high-visibility lane markings, and safety fences,” the NTSA said.

The report further notes that behavioural risks remain significant. Video data from 38 Nairobi blackspots showed only 24 per cent of pedestrians use designated crosswalks. While 82 per cent of motorcyclists wear helmets, only 26 per cent of pillion passengers do, even though helmets reduce fatalities by 41 per cent and injuries by 69 per cent when properly worn.

Enforcement also remains weak, with 52 per cent of drivers over the legal alcohol limit in Nairobi in 2023 never appearing in court.

The Action Plan outlines eight national strategic priorities, including coordination, funding, risk targeting, infrastructure, vehicle standards, enforcement, education and monitoring.

Over the next five years, the country aims to cut fatalities and serious injuries by at least 50 per cent in high-risk corridors and urban areas. Key actions include operationalising a Multi-Agency Governance Framework, establishing county-level Transport and Safety Committees, allocating 10 per cent of fuel levies to road safety, strengthening vehicle inspections, implementing automated enforcement, promoting motorcycle and pedestrian safety and integrating road safety education in schools.