Nearly 400 Kenyans Killed in 854 Road Accidents in January, Police Data Shows

Kenya recorded nearly 400 road traffic deaths in January 2026, marking an 11 percent increase compared with the same month last year, according to figures from the National Police Service.

Official data show that 854 road accidents were reported by 30 January, exceeding the total recorded during the same period in 2025. Pedestrians accounted for the highest number of fatalities at 143, followed by motorcyclists with 102 deaths. 

Passengers, drivers, pillion riders and cyclists were also among those killed, indicating that risks extend across all categories of road users. Traffic liaison officer Boniface Otieno said road users bear primary responsibility for safety, urging motorists and pedestrians to slow down and give way where necessary.

The fatalities reflect a pattern of preventable crashes. On 20 January alone, ten people died in separate incidents, while many others sustained serious injuries. Hospitals continue to report a steady number of admissions linked to road accidents, placing pressure on families and health facilities. 

Authorities attribute most crashes to speeding, reckless overtaking and drink-driving, despite ongoing public awareness campaigns led by the National Transport and Safety Authority. Nearly 5,000 people were killed on Kenyan roads last year.

Several recent incidents highlight persistent safety failures. Earlier this month, three siblings from Iowa died in a collision on the Naivasha–Nairobi highway, a route known for frequent accidents. In Nairobi, three passengers were killed and 14 injured after a bus collided with a stalled lorry on Argwings Kodhek Road. 

Witnesses said the lorry had broken down hours earlier without warning signs. Police are searching for the lorry driver, who left the scene. Attention has increasingly focused on the Northern Corridor, which connects the Port of Mombasa to neighbouring countries including Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. 

The route is central to regional trade but is affected by congestion, deteriorating road conditions and a high number of crashes. Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir has announced plans to dual the Rironi–Mau Summit Highway to improve traffic flow and safety. He said the project is intended to strengthen trade links, support tourism and improve access between rural and urban areas.

Road accidents also carry significant economic costs. Estimates indicate that Kenya loses about Sh800 billion each year through deaths, injuries and damage to property, alongside reduced productivity.