Kenya rolls out multi-pronged road safety strategy to halve traffic deaths by 2030
Completed works include the redesign of the Kibarani/Makupa causeway, traffic separation along the Salgaa-Sachangwan stretch, and new pedestrian bridges along the Northern Corridor.
Authorities have rolled out a comprehensive strategy to reduce road deaths, focusing on accident-prone black spots, stricter vehicle inspections, and empowering county-level safety committees.
Over 1,200 kilometres of the road network have already been evaluated for safety, while pedestrian bridges, walkways, and upgraded highways are under construction to enhance road safety nationwide.
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The initiative is anchored in the National Road Safety Action Plan (NRSAP) 2024–2028, launched last year by President William Ruto.
It aims to meet the global target of halving road traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030, addressing a persistent rise in accidents nationwide.
Road crashes continue to claim thousands of lives every year, leaving countless others with serious, life-altering injuries.
The plan will be at the centre of discussions during a three-day national road safety summit ongoing in Mombasa, where the Roads Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir will outline the government’s multi-pronged approach.
“We must interrogate what it is we have to do better to reduce road carnage. We will appreciate that we do so much and have huge budgets, as well as staff. We must ask ourselves tough questions on why we haven’t reduced road accident deaths to avert an impact on our economy on account of losing lives,” Chirchir said.
A critical element of the strategy is the identification and treatment of blackspots, areas notorious for high accident rates.
Completed works include the redesign of the Kibarani/Makupa causeway, traffic separation along the Salgaa-Sachangwan stretch, and new pedestrian bridges along the Northern Corridor. The dualling of Ngata Bridge is nearly finished, while upgrades continue at Bonje, Gitaru-Rungiri, and the Coptic roundabout.
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) is developing blackspot management guidelines based on international best practices, while Star Ratings have been used to assess the safety of over 1,250 kilometres of roads.
Upcoming projects, such as the Rironi–Nakuru–Mau Summit highway, the Kwa Jomvu–Mariakani road, and the Nyali–Mtwapa–Kilifi corridor, are being evaluated for safety compliance.
County Transport and Safety Committees are being established in all 47 counties, with 81 per cent already trained to carry out their roles.
Plans for automated traffic fines are under consideration to improve enforcement and generate revenue.
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has mapped high-risk areas and vulnerable road users, while the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KURA) has analysed 32 priority roads to target interventions effectively.
“It is now empirically clear where the hazardous road sections are, who is most affected, and what the primary causes are,” a ministry official said. The data will guide safety audits conducted by NTSA, KeNHA, KeRRA, and KURA throughout all stages of road development.
In addition, KURA has built 87 kilometres of pedestrian walkways, designed 277 kilometres of urban roads, constructed 17 bridges, and maintained thousands of kilometres of road network.
Vehicle safety is being reinforced through stricter Pre-Export Verification of Conformity checks on imported used cars, with 35 standards covering speed limiters and electric vehicles already in place.
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