Over 15,000 people involved in 7,114 road accidents in 2024 - NTSA

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) reported a total of 7,114 road accidents As of August 27, 2024.

This marks an increase from the 6,411 accidents recorded during the same period last year. NTSA notes that the accidents have involved 15,651 individuals, resulting in 3,056 fatalities and 12,586 injuries, both minor and serious.

The increase in incidents has raised concerns about motorists' compliance with traffic regulations and the need for more effective road safety measures.

According to the authorities report, pedestrians are the most frequent victims of traffic accidents.

Nairobi County recorded the highest number of pedestrian fatalities, with 251 deaths, making up 58 per cent of the county’s total fatalities. Kiambu followed with 205 pedestrian deaths.

Since the start of the year, 1,177 pedestrians, 262 drivers, 595 passengers, and 710 motorcyclists have died in traffic accidents. Additionally, 53 cyclists and 259 pillion passengers have also lost their lives.

Poor road design, distracted behavior, and crossing in non-designated areas are the main causes of pedestrian deaths.

The report also indicates that motorcycles were responsible for the highest number of fatalities at 1,157, followed by commercial vehicles (1,086) and private vehicles (1,078).

The scene of an accident after an Eldoret Express bus rammed into a stalled fuel tanker on April 6, 2024. (Photo: Handout)

Public service vehicles (PSVs) accounted for 522 fatalities, or 12 per cent of the total. Traffic accidents are most prevalent on weekends, with Sunday recording the highest number of fatalities.

Last month, a catastrophic accident, attributed to driver negligence, claimed 14 lives and injured 55 others. The survivors hold the belief that they could have prevented the tragedy.

Despite police involvement, a survivor of the Coast Bus crash revealed that the Mombasa-bound bus, which experienced mechanical failures, received inadequate attention. The bus's brake failure led to the crash at the Migaa blackspot.

In another severe incident, a collision on the Tharaka Nithi bridge on August 31 resulted in 12 fatalities, including eight women, two men, and two children.

Despite repeated promises, including a commitment from President William Ruto to redesign the bridge, the dangerous spot has remained a risk, continuing to claim lives.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua assured that the government is committed to expediting the road's redesign.

"I have instructed the Transport Principal Secretary to fast-track the process. We have continued to lose many lives at this spot, which is unacceptable," he said.

On August 25, another collision in Murgus killed five people returning from an introduction ceremony, while another tragic accident on August 13 in Mbaruk claimed the lives of a family of four travelling for a holiday.

Other notable accidents include a head-on collision involving a Range Rover and a canter in Maji ya Chumvi, resulting in two fatalities, and a near-miss incident at Sachangwan blackspot, where a school bus collided with several vehicles, but no fatalities were reported.

Additionally, a road accident near the Kibingoti area along the Karatina Sagana highway injured 25 Kenya Defence Forces officers.