NAIROBI, Kenya — At least 398 Kenyans lost their lives in road accidents between January 1 and January 30, 2026, underscoring a deepening road safety crisis across the country.
Data from the National Police Service Traffic Department shows the fatalities represent an 11 P.c increase compared to the same period last year.
Nairobi County traffic liaison officer Boniface Otieno said the deaths occurred amid a sharp rise in crashes recorded nationwide.
According to the police figures, 854 road accidents were reported during the 30-day period, surpassing the 850 crashes recorded by the end of last year.
As a result, 2,032 people were involved in road accidents by January 30, marking an 8 P.c increase from the 1,132 victims recorded in 2025.
Pedestrians remained the most affected road users.
Police data shows 143 pedestrians were killed during the period, followed by 102 motorcyclists.
Passengers accounted for 77 deaths, while 38 drivers died in crashes involving private vehicles, buses, and matatus.
Pillion passengers recorded 31 fatalities, while seven bicycle riders were killed.
Otieno said human behaviour remains the biggest contributor to road crashes.
“The greatest responsibility for road safety is the road user. On the road, we say, whether you’re right, please yield, slow down. It will save time and lives,” he said during an interview on NTV’s Fixing The Nation.
The high number of passenger deaths has raised concerns over persistent violations of traffic rules, including speeding, overloading, and failure to comply with safety regulations.
Road safety advocates say the figures point to weak enforcement and poor compliance, particularly on highways and urban roads where pedestrian activity is high.
The rising fatalities come amid renewed public concern over road design, vehicle inspection standards, and enforcement of traffic laws under the Traffic Act.
Kenya has consistently ranked among countries with the highest road traffic fatality rates in the region, despite repeated government campaigns and enforcement operations.
Police say they will intensify patrols, enforcement, and public awareness efforts as the country enters peak travel periods, warning that without behavioural change among road users, the death toll could continue to rise.
