National Transport and Safety Authority(NTSA) has cautioned motorists against overspeeding during this festive season, arguing that the number of people who have died in road accidents this year had increased.
NTSA’s Director of Registration and Licensing Christopher Wanjau has revealed that over 4,104 people have died in road accidents this year alone.
“The statistics released are from January this year to September this year a number that is of concern to us and every other Kenyan using our roads, this is an increase from last year which recorded a number of total deaths as at 3,947,” he said.
Wanjau further noted that 4,104 deaths were recorded from 18,474 accidents recorded across the country.
He was speaking in Mombasa, where he oversaw an exercise that seeks to empower, sensitize and create awareness among the Boda Boda community on road safety during this festive season.
In the partnership, NTSA will work closely with Watu Credit Limited and other stakeholders among them, Abson Motors, TVS and the red cross in a joint collaboration project known as “Tujenge Msingi”
“In the statistics for this year 1085 motorcycle riders died in road accidents, and as such we alongside other partners saw the need, on creating awareness among the Boda Boda community in terms of adhering to safe road practices, enrolling them to driving schools and training a number as mechanics with an overview of having safe Boda Bodas on our roads under the project,” he said.
NTSA data shows another 8,371 people were seriously injured while 6,000 sustained minor injuries.
On his part Watu Credit Limited, Country Manager Andrii Volokha noted that in the initiative that seeks to empower Boda Boda riders across the country, his organization would work with various partners with the aim of creating an inclusive platform in providing motorists with actionable insights on road safety.
“We are looking at areas on how the Boda Boda industry can be a successful one, with efforts in reducing the number of accidents attributed to Boda Boda riders by promoting road safety, among the riders,” he said
