Kenya Road Deaths Exceed 5,000 in 2025, NTSA Warns Motorists

The National Transport and Safety Authority and traffic police in Kenya have issued a fresh safety warning as the country prepares for the festive season. According to NTSA data, 5,009 people lost their lives on Kenyan roads in 2025, with 19,896 sustaining serious injuries in 11,638 recorded crashes. This has underscored a worsening road safety crisis in the country. The data also shows that vulnerable road users accounted for 73 percent of the victims.

The NTSA and traffic police launched a march at St Teresa Catholic Church in Eastleigh on Sunday, November 15, to mark the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. The event brought together road-safety stakeholders and the public to honour victims and call for stronger preventive measures. NTSA Assistant Director of Road Safety Education Samuel Musumba identified speeding, drunk driving, and reckless behaviour as the leading causes of crashes.

Musumba urged motorists to adopt safer habits, especially as thousands travel during the festive period. He highlighted concerns that speed governors, even when installed, can allow vehicles to reach up to 120 km/h, stressing the need for proper functioning of these devices to curb excessive speeds. The NTSA is working to address these issues and promote road safety awareness.

Traffic police representative Gabriel Kimanzi said the police, in partnership with NTSA, will maintain a 24-hour road presence during the holiday season to enforce traffic regulations. The police will not tolerate drunk driving or excessive speeding, and Kimanzi emphasized that road safety is a shared responsibility among government agencies, motorists, passengers, and pedestrians.

Kimanzi urged collective action rather than relying solely on police and NTSA enforcement. He stressed that all stakeholders must work together to promote road safety and prevent accidents. The partnership between the police and NTSA aims to reduce the number of road crashes and promote a culture of safety.

The Eastleigh march was part of a broader effort to promote road safety awareness and prevent accidents. The event provided an opportunity for stakeholders to come together and discuss ways to address the road safety crisis. The NTSA and traffic police are working to implement measures to reduce the number of road crashes and promote a culture of safety.

As Kenya prepares for increased holiday travel, the NTSA and traffic police are urging motorists to exercise caution and adopt safer driving habits. The festive season is a critical period for road safety, and the authorities are working to ensure that motorists are aware of the risks and take necessary precautions to prevent accidents.

Key points

• In 2025, 5,009 people died in road crashes in Kenya, with 19,896 sustaining serious injuries in 11,638 recorded crashes.