NAIVASHA, Kenya – The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has strengthened its collaboration with county governments in a bid to curb the rising number of road fatalities across the country.
NTSA Director General George Njao announced the establishment of County Transport and Safety Committees, which will focus on addressing road safety challenges at the devolved level.
The initiative aims to enhance pedestrian infrastructure, improve public transport safety, and promote non-motorized transport.
Speaking in Naivasha during a meeting with officials from Nakuru, Kakamega, Kericho, Kisumu, Makueni, Nairobi, and Siaya counties, Njao emphasized the need for localized road safety interventions.
“We want to strengthen our relationships with counties through these committees so that we can directly address factors contributing to road fatalities at the county level,” he said.
Unlike a punitive approach that solely focuses on penalizing traffic offenders, Njao explained that NTSA’s strategy is geared towards proactive engagement, education, and infrastructure improvement.
He singled out pedestrians and boda boda operators as the most vulnerable road users, calling for counties to invest in pedestrian walkways, road markings, and clear signage.
“If you look at pedestrians, they require accessibility features such as designated walkways and proper signage. That’s why we are working closely with counties to reduce fatalities in these categories,” he said.
Nairobi Transport CEC Ibrahim Auma welcomed the collaboration, stating that the city county was already registering boda boda operators and their Saccos to enhance road discipline.
Kericho County Commissioner Gilbert Kitiyo echoed the importance of the initiative, noting that 70 percent of road users are in rural areas, making them a critical focus for safety interventions.
He added that National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs) would assist in delivering road safety messages in local languages to ensure wider reach and understanding.
According to NTSA data, more than 4,000 people lost their lives in road crashes between January and December 2024, with pedestrians accounting for 1,600 fatalities. The agency hopes that by decentralizing road safety efforts, it can significantly reduce these alarming numbers.
