NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenya continues to grapple with a deepening road safety crisis, with thousands of lives lost on its highways and urban roads each year.
The stark reality of the situation has drawn harsh criticism from journalists, road safety activists and citizens alike, who warn that inadequate infrastructure, weak enforcement and reckless driving have turned many of the country’s major routes into “pathways to hell.”
“Unfortunately, hundreds of Kenyans will continue dying on Kenya’s roads. We don’t have roads, we have death traps, pathways to hell… If you drive at night, you hardly know where the road starts and where it ends,” said journalist Dennis Onsarigo, capturing widespread frustration over the rising road carnage.
Road Fatalities on the Rise
Recent data from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) shows that road accident deaths in Kenya increased in 2025, with at least 4,458 fatalities recorded, up from 4,311 in 2024, a 3.4% rise.
Pedestrians remain the most vulnerable group, accounting for the largest share of casualties.
These figures reflect a trend echoed across multiple reports: nearly 12 Kenyans are killed on the roads every day, with road traffic crashes claiming thousands of lives and leaving many more injured and disabled.
Between January and November 2025 alone, Kenya registered 21,042 road crash victims, including 4,195 fatalities, a 2.9% increase from the same period the previous year.
Vulnerable road users such as motorcyclists, pedestrians and pillion passengers made up a large portion of these casualties.
Unfortunately, hundreds of Kenyans will continue dying on Kenya’s roads. We dont have roads, we have death traps, pathways to hell. No lightning, no marking. If you drive at night, you hardly know where the road starts and where it ends…. Add motorists in their thousands who
Why the Roads Are Deadly
Experts say the alarming statistics are driven by a combination of factors:
- Poor road infrastructure with inadequate lighting, missing lane markings and unprotected junctions — conditions that make night driving hazardous.
- Reckless driving behaviour, including speeding, improper overtaking, failure to observe lane discipline and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Unqualified drivers — with motorists frequently said to hold licences without proper training or testing, further exacerbating risks on busy highways.
These issues consistently appear in official road safety reports and public discourse, reinforcing the feeling that Kenyan roads are failing those who use them most.
The Human Toll
For many families, the statistics represent shattered lives and communities.
Each death on the road is a breadwinner lost, a household plunged into grief, and a long-term economic burden for those left behind.
The traveller’s fear of roadside hazards is palpable across social platforms and public conversations, with ordinary Kenyans describing road conditions as perilous, especially at night, when visibility is poor and safety measures, such as road markings and lighting, are often absent.
Government and NTSA Response
In response to the rising numbers, NTSA officials and government stakeholders have underscored the urgency of road safety reforms.
They have rolled out compliance checks across the country targeting commercial, private and public service vehicles, flagging violations such as malfunctioning speed limiters, drunk driving, unroadworthy vehicles and overloaded buses.
Authorities have also reiterated commitments to advance road safety education, improve enforcement of traffic laws and address infrastructural gaps.
However, critics argue that policy and planning have lagged behind the scale of the crisis, leaving Kenyans vulnerable each time they set foot on the road.
