Omtatah pushes Senate to act on road safety as deaths surge past 4,000
Road crash deaths in Kenya have climbed past 4,100 this year, prompting the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to introduce new measures aimed at reducing fatalities, especially as the festive travel season approaches.
The Senate has launched a probe into Kenya’s worsening road safety following a call by Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, who urged the house to demand urgent government action.
Omtatah on Wednesday pointed to poorly lit highways, missing road signs, unmarked bumps, and unsafe vehicles as major hazards, and also called on authorities to tackle corruption in traffic policing and strengthen driver licensing.
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Road crash deaths in Kenya have climbed past 4,100 this year, prompting the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to introduce new measures aimed at reducing fatalities, especially as the festive travel season approaches.
The agency described the figures as worrying, saying stronger interventions are needed to protect road users.
Speaking during the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, Acting NTSA Director General Angela Wanjira said the authority has already started implementing steps to identify dangerous drivers and promote better road discipline.
“Among the measures we will set to undertake going forward is subjecting drivers who were flagged through enforcement initiatives and the NTSA Intelligent Road Safety Management System (IRSMS) to mandatory re-testing to confirm their competency on the road,” she said.
The IRSMS platform, launched in 2023, monitors public service and commercial vehicles by recording actions such as speeding, heavy braking, route changes, and driver responses. It sends alerts when vehicles break rules, allowing NTSA to trace drivers who repeatedly ignore safety instructions.
Omtatah further told the Senate that many highways, including Nairobi–Mombasa, Malaba–Eldoret, and Eldoret–Malaba, remain dangerous due to poor lighting, missing signage, and unmarked bumps that endanger motorists and pedestrians.
He also warned that unroadworthy vehicles continue to operate despite traffic police checkpoints, raising concerns about enforcement.
The senator highlighted reports of corruption within the Traffic Police Service and irregular licensing practices by some driving schools working with NTSA officers, which compromise public safety.
Omtatah asked the Senate Standing Committee on Roads and Transportation to report on government measures to ensure all major roads are properly lit, clearly marked, and that traffic laws are effectively enforced.
"The Roads Committee should report to this House the steps the Government is taking to ensure that all major highways and roads are adequately lit and fitted with proper signage to enhance visibility and safety," he submitted.
He also urged the committee to investigate mechanisms to regulate driving schools and ensure only competent drivers are licensed.
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