On April 17, 2024, Mr. George Njau, Director General of the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), officially unveiled the National Road Safety Action Plan 2024–2028 during a ceremony at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi. This five-year roadmap, designed in collaboration with the Ministry of Roads and Transport, iRAP, county governments, and donor partners, marks a decisive shift from planning to enforcement-led action.
Of importance to note: NTSA’s own data reveals that over 4,000 Kenyans lost their lives in road crashes in the year 2024, a slight reduction from the more than 5,000 fatalities reported in 2023, as noted by NTSA DG Njau. However, the economic toll remains immense, with crash-related losses estimated at Ksh 450 billion annually, or roughly 3% of Kenya’s GDP, according to analysts in the Ministry of Transport.
The Road Safety Crisis in Kenya
What the numbers tell us about the scale and scale-up of the safety challenge:
- According to NTSA’s preliminary report covering June 2024–March 2025, there were 3,581 road fatalities, representing a 10% increase over the same period in the previous year. In addition, the toll comprised 8,874 serious injuries and 5,620 slight injuries.
- A closer inspection of the victims shows that 1,342 pedestrians, 939 motorcyclists, 604 passengers, 357 pillion riders, 285 drivers, and 54 cyclists lost their lives during that period.
- Encouragingly, NTSA further reports that in the first quarter of 2025 (January–March), fatalities dipped to 1,139, a 2.5% decrease, while serious injuries fell by 14.6%, reflecting early positive effects as the action plan gains traction.
- Nonetheless, Kenya’s road fatality rate remains alarmingly high at 27.8 deaths per 100,000 population, far exceeding the European Union average of approximately 6 per 100,000, and surpassing regional peers.
Plan Objectives & Target Outcomes
Kenya’s National Road Safety Action Plan 2024–2028 sets ambitious yet measurable goals aimed at transforming national road safety outcomes. Here’s a breakdown of what it aims to achieve and how success will be gauged:
Halving Road Deaths & Serious Injuries by 2028
At the launch event, the NTSA Director General revealed that the plan seeks to “halve road deaths and serious injuries by 2028.”
This target aligns with UN Global Road Safety Performance Target 3.6, which commits countries to reduce road fatalities and serious injuries by 50% over the “Decade of Action” (2021–2030).
Achieving UN Target 4: Safer Roads by 2030
At the same launch, iRAP provided compelling context on infrastructure as a life-saving tool.
In its analyses, if 75% of travel in Kenya takes place on roads rated at least 3 stars by 2030, it could prevent over one million deaths and serious injuries, thus unlocking approximately USD 32.6 billion in economic gains (around Ksh 4 trillion).
This estimate is based on iRAP’s Safety Insights Explorer, which evaluated benefits from upgrading Kenya’s road network to safer, star-rated standards.
Metrics for Success
| Objective | By 2028 | By 2030 | Metric / Data Source |
| Halve fatalities & serious injuries | 50% reduction from 2023–2024 baselines | — | NTSA quarterly casualty reports; UN 3.6 target |
| Ensure ≥75% of travel is on ≥3-star roads | — | 75% of all travel | iRAP assessments via Safety Insights Explorer |
| Economic value of infrastructure investment | — | USD 32.6 billion benefits (~Ksh 4 trillion) | iRAP-calculated benefits over 20-year treatment cycles |
Why These Targets Matter
- Human impact: Cutting deaths and serious injuries by half means saving thousands of lives and reducing long-term suffering for families and communities.
- Economic gain: Every USD 1 invested in safer roads can yield ~USD 10 in economic returns. This accrues through fewer medical bills, less productivity loss, and reduced legal costs.
- Evidence-based approach: Centering on road ratings and infrastructure quality focuses on proven methods, such as safer road design and speed management, that directly reduce crash risks.
What’s Next?
- Baseline establishment: Accurate data on the current percentage of travel on ≥3-star roads is being compiled via iRAP surveys on major highway networks.
- Progress tracking: NTSA and partners will publish annual updates to show movement toward the 75% target.
- Interventions: Immediate investments in road infrastructure upgrades, blackspot treatments, and engineering improvements prioritized by crash patterns and star-rating analyses.
Core Pillars of the Action Plan
A. Infrastructure & Blackspot Intervention
- The plan incorporates iRAP assessments of Class A, B, and C paved roads and major urban networks in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret, and Nakuru, as laid out during the formal launch on April 22, 2024.
- It prioritizes treating blackspots along the Northern Corridor, identified by analyzing crash data from the previous five years.
B. Enforcement & Technology Adoption
- Digital speed and surveillance cameras, both fixed and mobile, were announced by the NTSA DG. Pilots began in November 2024 on Thika Superhighway, Mombasa Road, and Southern Bypass, with instant mobile ticketing of offenders.
- CCTV systems costing Ksh 2.2 million have been installed along the Northern Corridor to monitor long-distance trucks, with cameras seated at accident-hazard locations.
C. Vehicle & Driver Standards
- The plan mandates retesting and retraining of school bus drivers, alongside the rollout of telematics for boda bodas.
- Counties will oversee the regulation of approximately 1.9 million active boda bodas from a pool of ~2.5 million registrations, requiring tracking devices, KEBS-approved helmets, and reflective jackets.
D. Public Awareness & Cultural Shift
The campaign focuses on promoting seatbelt use, helmet standards, proper signaling, and raising awareness of night-time risks between 19:00–22:00, when crash rates surge.
E. Post‑Crash Care & Emergency Response
The action plan requires strengthening emergency-response systems and improving trauma-care coordination across the country, thus ensuring faster post-crash interventions (official para‑crash care provisions at launch).
Why These Pillars Matter
| Pillar | How It Saves Lives |
| Infrastructure | Road redesign + blackspot fixes reduce collision likelihood. iRAP shows up to 50% crash reduction per upgrade. |
| Technology + Enforcement | Cameras fast-track ticketing, deter over speeding, and improve compliance in real time. |
| Driver Standards | Better-trained drivers = fewer human errors; telematics help monitor high-risk boda boda behavior. |
| Awareness Campaigns | Habitual change in seatbelt/helmet use can reduce fatalities by 30%. |
| Emergency Response | Faster post-crash care drops mortality rates by up to 40% in low/middle-income countries. |
What’s Been Achieved So Far
NTSA has begun translating plans into action, but the rollout has not been without hurdles.
Early Push from Leadership
By June 20, 2024, NTSA Director General George Njau declared: “We are done with boardroom meetings; it’s time to act,” emphasizing that the Action Plan must move beyond planning to tangible implementation.
Pilot Interventions Underway
- Digital camera pilots were deployed in November 2024 on major Nairobi corridors, including Thika Superhighway, Mombasa Road, and Southern Bypass. The project remains in a six-month trial phase, with DG Njau noting that they have enough data.
- The NTSA is also seeking additional 408 mobile ticketing enrollment kits, particularly to serve Kenyans in the diaspora who can’t easily return for updates.
Delays & Constraints
Despite leadership eagerness and clear ambition, rollout has lagged due to:
- Budget Shortfalls
DG Njau has repeatedly appealed to Parliament to allocate more funds to scale the pilot nationally. He maintains that “the next step is to roll out the 408 enrollment kits,” but notes “the authority lacks the necessary budget to implement the project nationwide”.
- Agency Coordination
President William Ruto, at the April 2024 launch, instructed the Inspector General of Police and NTSA Director General to work together for enforcement. Yet NTSA later acknowledged that regulatory approvals, from the Attorney‑General’s Chambers, are still pending, and multi-agency cooperation remains a bottleneck.
Implementation Status at a Glance
| Action | Status as of Apr–June 2025 |
| Digital speed & surveillance camera pilot | Successfully installed in Nairobi corridors; mobile ticketing active; institutionalization pending funding |
| Enrollment kit rollout | Good response from diaspora; 408 kits still needing budget allocation |
| Inter-agency regulations & mandating powers | Under review at AG’s Chambers; awaiting full approval |
| Coordination with police & counties | Official directives issued by President, but ground collaboration still evolving |
Bottom Line
NTSA has moved swiftly to operationalize digital enforcement and expand road safety systems. However, the rollout pace remains slow, primarily due to budget constraints and regulatory delays. Success in the next phases hinges on securing long-term funding and fully integrated enforcement across government agencies.
Driver-Centric Takeaways
The 2024–2028 Road Safety Action Plan isn’t just policy on paper; it’s changing the day-to-day rules for every driver in Kenya. Here’s what you need to know:
Enforcement: Cameras & Fines Are Here
- Speed cameras are already in place along major corridors like Thika Superhighway, Mombasa Road, and Southern Bypass.
- Instant ticketing is live: the DG confirmed this at the June 2024 progress update.
Pro Tip: Watch your speed and comply with traffic lights. There’s no more wiggle room!
Infrastructure: New Layouts for Safety
- Pedestrian walkways, blackspot markings, and improved signage are being rolled out on high-risk roads.
- iRAP’s assessment of Class A, B, and C roads will shape future upgrades. The department’s focus is on Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret, and Nakuru.
Pro Tip: Adjust your routes and expect work zones in some of these areas.
Boda Boda Regulations: Compliance is Key
- Counties will regulate the nearly 1.9 million active boda boda riders for safer operation.
- Telematics (GPS tracking) for boda bodas will make oversight stricter. As such, expect more checks!
- Tip: Whether you’re a rider or a passenger, demand helmets and proper licensing.
Compliance: No Excuses for Basic Safety
- Wearing seatbelts, using helmets, signaling turns, and slowing down at night are not negotiable.
- These core behaviors are explicitly targeted by public awareness campaigns under the plan.
Pro Tip: Embrace these basics; they’re backed by data that saves lives.
Awareness: Fatigue & Night Driving
- NTSA’s campaigns now highlight fatigue and night driving (19:00–22:00) as leading causes of crashes.
- Vulnerable road users (pedestrians, cyclists, boda bodas) are central to the plan. So, stay alert in high-foot-traffic zones!
Pro Tip: Plan trips to avoid late-night fatigue and always scan for pedestrians.
Bottom Line
The Action Plan is not designed just for government agencies; it’s for you.
- Expect enforcement.
- Watch out for new layouts.
- Respect vulnerable road users.
- Drive smart, not just fast.
Economic & Social Impacts
The cost of road crashes in Kenya is far-reaching and touches families, the economy, and public health systems.
- KSh 450 billion is lost every year due to road carnage in Kenya. This figure was highlighted by Mr George Njau, DG of NTSA, during the launch of the Road Safety Action Plan at KICC, Nairobi, on April 17, 2024.
- This equates to roughly 3–5% of Kenya’s GDP, which is money that could be channeled to education, healthcare, or other essential services.
Health System Burden
- Crash-related injuries cost the Ministry of Health about KSh 46.1 billion annually, as reported in a Ministry of Health brief shared in 2024.
- Trauma care and emergency response for road crashes strain hospitals. Affect people occupy about 30% of trauma beds, according to health department statistics cited in the same report.
Social Impacts
- Families face lifelong trauma and lost income when a breadwinner dies or is disabled.
- Vulnerable groups, such as pedestrians and boda boda riders, are disproportionately affected.
Case Study – The 2023 Kericho Crash
Real-world examples reveal why Kenya’s roads are a ticking time bomb if left unchecked. On June 30, 2023, for instance, a container truck lost control at the Londiani junction in Kericho County, killing at least 52 people and injuring many others.
These numbers were cited in an official crash investigation report shared by the Kenya Police Service in July 2023.
Contributing Factors
- Poor road design (sharp curves, inadequate barriers).
- Over-speeding trucks in densely populated areas.
- Inadequate enforcement: no functional cameras or speed checks at the site.
Why This Matters
The Kericho tragedy exemplifies the very gaps the Road Safety Action Plan is built to address:
- Blackspot mapping.
- Enforcement tech (cameras, speed guns).
- Driver standards (training and licensing).
FAQ: Road Safety & Reliable Parts – What Drivers Need to Know
Q1: How can drivers ensure their vehicles are safe and meet new enforcement standards?
A: Regular maintenance is critical: This involves checking brakes, tires, lights, and signals. For commercial and heavy vehicles, using high-quality brake linings like those from Varsani Brake Linings (VBL) ensures consistent braking performance. VBL’s premium brake linings are trusted by fleet operators across East Africa for their reliability and compliance with safety standards.
Q2: What’s changing for boda boda riders?
A: Counties are ramping up boda boda oversight, including new telematics systems and licensing checks. For those in the transport business, ensuring motorcycles have quality brake pads and regular servicing is key. VBL also manufactures robust brake pads for motorbikes, supporting the push for safer streets.
Q3: Are blackspot upgrades already underway?
A: Yes, iRAP assessments have started, targeting high-risk stretches on roads like Thika Road and Nairobi’s Outer Ring Road. Expect periodic traffic management as these upgrades roll out.
Q4: Why focus on quality vehicle parts in this context?
A: Road safety isn’t just about laws; it’s about the hardware on your vehicle. Poorly performing brakes can turn a minor incident into a fatal one. VBL’s brake linings, pads, and shoes help drivers stay in control, reduce stopping distance, and lower the risk of crashes.
Q5: Where can I find VBL’s products?
A: You can browse the full range, including brake pads and brake linings for trucks, trailers, buses, and motorcycles, from our website. VBL’s commitment to quality ensures Kenyan drivers have access to the best materials for road safety.
Conclusion & Call to Action
Kenya’s 2024–2028 Road Safety Action Plan is ambitious as it involves halving road deaths and serious injuries by 2028. But achieving that target demands more than policy; it requires every driver’s active participation.
- Drivers: Stay alert, respect speed limits, and invest in reliable vehicle parts like those from VBL to keep your ride safe.
- Public: Support NTSA’s efforts and demand safe, well-designed roads in your community.
Let’s make the road to 2028 safer together.
Share your thoughts below: What’s the riskiest blackspot you’ve seen? What safety upgrades would make the biggest difference in your area? Let’s keep the conversation rolling and save lives, one kilometer at a time.
