Fewer deaths recorded countrywide as crackdown on unroadworthy vehicles intensifies

The traffic department has recorded fewer accidents for the last two days following the ongoing crackdown on unroadworthy vehicles as Christmas festivities approach.

Speaking in Nyeri when she led traffic officers in a major crackdown, traffic commandant Mary Omari said that they have recorded only four deaths in the last 24 hours as a result of accidents which is a decrease.

"We have recorded only four deaths since the onset of the crackdown countrywide in the last 24 hours. However, we have managed to impound 407 vehicles and the offenders taken to court. We urge drivers to observe road safety," Omari stated.

Omari, who was accompanied by senior National Road Safety Authority (NTSA) officials, said that most of the public vehicles are being found without proper papers, and worn out tyres, among other offences.

She asked Kenyans to participate in road safety measures by ensuring that they call out drivers flouting traffic regulations.

"Kenyans should stop this habit of blaming law enforcers when a fatal accident occurs, It is the duty of every person to ensure that road users are practising road safety," she added.

Omari said that the countrywide crackdown will go on even after the festive season promising Kenyans an accident-free holiday.

At least 3,999 people died in road accidents between January and December 7, 2023.

In a statement on Monday, December 18, 2023, Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen noted that the number reduced from the 4,352 recorded within the same period in 2022. The CS lauded the progress saying the ministry's collective effort contributed to the reduction of road fatalities this year.

"Notably, the reduction in deaths coincided with a concerning increase in the number of seriously injured individuals, suggesting that more work needs to be done to improve road safety.

"I am disheartened to report a rise in fatalities among pedal cyclists, attributed to factors such as speeding, dangerous cycling and inadequate non-motorised transport facilities," the CS said.

Murkomen additionally announced that the ministry will be distributing the Kenya Highway Code and Learner Drivers' Handbook to all drivers, cyclists and pedestrians as part of their commitment to taming road carnage.

While making the announcement, the CS also implored citizens to take personal responsibility and minimise factors that may lead to risky road behaviour saying 90 percent of road traffic incidents are caused by unsafe road user behaviour.