A total of 12 drivers have been arrested and their vehicles impounded following a night-time road safety operation in Meru County. The operation, conducted by an interagency team, targeted motorists violating traffic regulations. Several cases of drink-driving were uncovered among those arrested. The crackdown is part of the National Transport and Safety Authority's (NTSA) intensified enforcement ahead of the festive season.
According to NTSA, eight of the 12 drivers were driving under the influence of alcohol, while another driver refused to provide a breath specimen for analysis. The Breath Alcohol Content (BrAC) readings recorded were significantly higher than the legal limit of 0.35 mg/l. The highest reading was 1.483 mg/l, indicating a serious risk to road safety.
The NTSA's road safety enforcement campaign, dubbed Msimu Bila Ajali, Usalama Barabarani, aims to reduce road crashes and fatalities. The operation comes after a recent spate of fatal accidents on Kenyan roads. On October 25, a bus carrying passengers returning from a burial collided head-on with a lorry, killing at least 24 people and injuring several others.
This recent crash is not an isolated incident. Just three weeks prior, a multi-vehicle collision at Mlima Kiu in Salama, Makueni County, killed 17 people, mostly Catholic pilgrims traveling in a matatu. These accidents highlight the need for intensified road safety measures. The NTSA is working to address the rising number of road fatalities.
According to NTSA data, 3,995 people were killed in road crashes between January 1 and October 4, 2026, a 9.2 per cent increase from the 3,657 fatalities recorded during a similar period in 2025. Pedestrians accounted for the highest number of deaths at 1,490, followed by motorcyclists at 1,061. The authority is working to identify and address factors contributing to the increase in road fatalities.
The NTSA's efforts to enhance road safety include public awareness campaigns and strict enforcement of traffic regulations. The authority is urging drivers to exercise caution and adhere to road safety guidelines, especially during the festive season. The recent arrests and impounding of vehicles serve as a warning to motorists who flout traffic regulations.
The government has heightened security and road safety measures to mitigate the risk of accidents. The NTSA, together with other agencies, will continue to conduct road safety operations to ensure compliance with traffic regulations. Motorists are advised to exercise caution and follow road safety guidelines to avoid accidents and fatalities.
Key points
- Eight of the 12 drivers arrested were driving under the influence of alcohol.
- The NTSA has recorded 3,995 road crash fatalities between January 1 and October 4, 2026.
- The authority is conducting a road safety campaign dubbed Msimu Bila Ajali, Usalama Barabarani.
