The Horrors of Kenyan Roads

“Over two thousand people lost their lives on Kenyan roads in just six months this year (from January to July 7, 2024), with over 10,166 others nursing injuries from an estimated 11,502 crashes, according to the George Njao-led National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).” from Science Africa, September 10, 2024. By Joshua Isaac

I would like to offer my opinions regarding the subject of road safety in Kenya. We have been witnessing accidents that have claimed many lives recently, including at Kenyatta University. I know this is a painful situation, and I take a minute to mourn the students who had a bright future ahead of them. No one deserves death, especially at such a young age. But where does this stop for us? We have been witnessing accidents since time immemorial, and each time it occurs, we hardly have conversations surrounding the major cause of death – and that is the state of our roads, period! I have seen comments online suggesting that, as a country, we need to repent and turn to God because this is the reason for road accidents. A counter-argument would be to shift this mindset and reveal the actual policies surrounding ground traffic control, which is the primary reason we are losing so many people on the roads. Road safety in Kenya, I must say, is in a terrible state. Hardly any rules are respected, and there is little to no mental assessment to check who is fit to drive. Driving under the influence is still a common practice.

There is a reason why, in Germany and the USA – I use these countries as examples – there is a strict and systematic process for acquiring a driver’s license. I would be curious to know how it is in other African countries. Being on the roads requires not only a physical sense of alertness but also the mental capacity to make quick decisions. There is a reason why, in almost all developed countries, road safety is non-negotiable. Traffic lights guide drivers and pedestrians. Overspeeding gets you a ticket, which could lead to license suspension. Anywhere there are loopholes in primary safety, casualties are to be expected. I understand that Kenyan roads are not yet equipped with the necessary tools for ultimate road safety. However, overspeeding, overtaking, and driving under the influence remain major causes of road accidents. This is partly a road infrastructure issue, but a significant portion of the problem lies with drivers. I believe we need to sit down and stop reasoning in utopia each time something bad happens – because, probably, that is what is killing us. Yes, God’s intervention is key, and I say this as a believer, but if policies and practices can’t be enforced on the ground, we will continue to witness loss of lives on the roads.