More than 3,300 people have died in road crashes across Kenya in the first nine months of 2025, with pedestrians and motorcyclists accounting for the highest number of fatalities, new data from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) shows.
The report indicates that 3,397 people have lost their lives so far this year, 28 more than during the same period in 2024. In total, 17,270 people have been affected by crashes in 2025, 291 more than last year.
Pedestrians make up the largest share of deaths at 1,285, followed by 858 motorcyclists, 568 passengers and 309 drivers.
According to the National Road Safety Action Plan 2024–2028, most fatal incidents occur in the evening hours when reduced visibility, increased speeds and alcohol consumption create high risks on major highways.
The NTSA notes that 26 per cent of accidents in Nairobi and 30 per cent nationally take place between 7:00 pm and 10:00 pm.
Police figures further reveal that nearly half of the deaths, 45.7 per cent, are recorded in just eight counties, even though they make up only 32 per cent of the country’s population.
In Nairobi, five major roads, which cover only two per cent of the city’s network, account for 36 per cent of deadly crashes.
The government has rolled out a five-year safety plan targeting reckless driving, alcohol use, and accident-prone areas. “Another major risk behaviour is driving under the influence of alcohol.
To address this challenge, the Traffic (Drink Driving) Regulations, 2025, have been developed,” the NTSA said.
The plan introduces automated speed checks with instant fines, stricter rules for used car imports, automated driver testing, and tougher regulations for school transport. Major infrastructure projects are also underway, including the expansion of the Rironi-Mau Summit highway, the dualling of the Kwa Jomvu-Mariakani road, and improvements on the Nyali-Mtwapa-Kilifi and Kitale-Morpus corridors.
Blackspot upgrades are ongoing at Ngata Bridge in Nakuru, Bonje in Kilifi, and the Kisumu-Kakamega highway. Nairobi will also see 13 new pedestrian footbridges along the Outer Ring Road BRT corridor.
“Existing roads have been placed under performance-based maintenance contracts to ensure routine upkeep, including road signage, high-visibility lane markings, and safety fences,” the NTSA added.
The report highlights worrying behaviour trends. Video monitoring at 38 blackspots in Nairobi showed that only 24 per cent of pedestrians use designated crossing points.
Helmet use is also uneven; 82 per cent of motorcyclists wear helmets compared to just 26 per cent of passengers, despite evidence showing that proper helmet use reduces deaths by 41 per cent and injuries by 69 per cent.
Weak enforcement also undermines road safety efforts. NTSA data shows that 52 per cent of drivers who were over the legal alcohol limit in Nairobi in 2023 never appeared in court.
The Action Plan has outlined eight national priorities: coordination, funding, risk targeting, infrastructure upgrades, vehicle standards, enforcement, education and monitoring.
Over the next five years, the country aims to cut deaths and serious injuries by half in high-risk corridors and cities.
Planned interventions include creating a Multi-Agency Governance Framework, forming county-level transport and safety committees, allocating 10 per cent of fuel levies to road safety, expanding vehicle inspections, adopting automated enforcement, enhancing motorcycle and pedestrian safety, and mainstreaming road safety education in schools.
The NTSA has urged all sectors to take part in efforts to reduce fatalities. “Everyone must collaborate as a nation and within communities to mitigate the immense pain, suffering and economic losses caused by road crash fatalities and injuries,” the agency said.
