Accident
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In a concerning trend, Kenya witnessed a significant rise in road fatalities in 2024, as deaths exceeded the previous year's count by approximately 400 lives.
According to data released by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), the total number of traffic-related fatalities reached 4,748 between January 1 and December 31, 2024, marking an increase from 4,324 in 2023. The month of December proved particularly fatal, with 470 deaths reported, reflecting a 10 percent rise compared to the same month in the previous year. The last quarter of 2024 was particularly brutal, accounting for nearly 800 fatalities among passengers, pedestrians, and motorcyclists, contrasting sharply with 450 deaths recorded for drivers and riders.
The widespread use of boda bodas, 1.8 million active among an estimated 2.5 million registered, highlights their significant impact on these staggering statistics. Nairobi emerged as a major hotspot for road fatalities, recording over 130 deaths in the fourth quarter alone and a total of 560 fatalities for the year. Close behind, Kiambu County also reported a high toll of 420 deaths, while Nakuru County matched this figure.
In contrast, Machakos County saw a slight decline, with fewer than 200 deaths, down from 208 in 2023. Notably, Mandera reported no road-related fatalities, while Wajir and Samburu each recorded just one. A month-by-month analysis illustrates that December's fatalities reached the highest point of any month in 2024, up from 423 in December 2023. The New Year started with a modest rise in fatalities, as January recorded 389 deaths compared to 379 the preceding year.
February saw a more pronounced increase, with fatalities rising 10 percent to 374 from 340 in 2023. March followed this trend with a 3.6 percent increase, reaching 403 deaths, while April experienced an 8.68 percent rise, totaling 388 fatalities. May's numbers remained largely stable, with fatalities rising slightly to 341 from 340 the previous year. June bucked the trend with a decrease; however, this decline was short-lived as July saw a considerable 17.54 percent surge in deaths, escalating to 382 from 325 in 2023.
Both August and September reflected this concerning trend, with 437 deaths in August (up from 372) and 402 in September, representing an 18.93 percent increase from the 338 deaths recorded in September 2023. The final months of the year continued to show increasing fatalities, with October witnessing a 15.76 percent increase to 382 from 330, and November rising sharply to 373 deaths compared to 292 the previous year.
The NTSA has identified the most hazardous roads in Nairobi, including Outering Road, Eastern Bypass, Thika Superhighway, Waiyaki Way, and Northern Bypass. This alarming upward trend in road fatalities highlights an urgent need for improved road safety measures. Stakeholders, including government agencies, must prioritize effective strategies such as enforcing traffic laws rigorously, conducting public awareness campaigns, and enhancing infrastructure to address this growing crisis.