CS Chirchir: 2,933 people have died in accidents since January 2025
By William Muthama, August 11, 2025Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport, Davis Chirchir, has condemned the recent surge in road traffic accidents across Kenya, calling on all road users to observe safety regulations diligently.
In a statement released on Monday, August 11, 2025, Chirchir expressed condolences to families who lost loved ones and wished quick recovery to those injured in crashes reported over the past few days.
Spike in fatalities
According to the Ministry of Roads and Transport, a total of 2,933 fatalities have been recorded between January and August 10, 2025.
Alarmingly, 80 of these deaths occurred in just the last four days. The recent spike involves public service vehicles, private cars, and commercial trucks, raising serious concerns about road safety compliance.
To address this, a multi-agency team is conducting safety audits along affected road segments. The team will assess accident scenes to identify safety deficiencies and recommend measures to prevent future tragedies.
Chirchir assured the public that these technical evaluations would be completed within seven days, with prompt implementation of recommendations to save lives.
“We are determined to get to the root causes of these accidents and implement measures that will protect all road users,” Chirchir said. “Safety audits will help us identify risk factors and prevent unnecessary loss of lives.”
Ongoing government efforts
Chirchir highlighted ongoing initiatives under Kenya’s National Road Safety Action Plan 2024-2028. These include legislative reforms targeting school transport, commercial vehicle operations, drink driving regulations, vehicle inspection, and roadside safety enforcement.
Key infrastructure projects such as the redesign of Nithi Bridge and dualling of the Rironi-Mau Summit Road are also progressing and expected to be completed soon.
The Cabinet Secretary emphasised that road safety is a collective responsibility requiring all stakeholders, including drivers, pedestrians, boda boda riders, and cyclists, to comply fully with traffic laws.
He urged everyone to adhere to speed limits, maintain vehicles properly, and ensure valid licensing.
“Full compliance with stipulated speed limits, vehicle maintenance standards, proper licensing, and traffic regulations is not optional but a collective responsibility that safeguards lives,” Chirchir stated.
He added, “Road traffic accidents are not only predictable but also preventable if all road users played their part. Let us all play our part in ensuring Kenya’s roads are safe for everyone.”
Chirchir stressed that changing attitudes and behaviours on the roads is vital to reduce deaths and injuries, urging Kenyans to work together with the government for safer highways.