NAIROBI, KENYA – The Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) has issued a stringent warning to motorists and road contractors across the country, vowing a crackdown on safety violations ahead of the busy December holiday season. The move aims to mitigate the perennial spike in road traffic accidents that characterizes the festive period in Kenya.

In a statement released on Sunday, November 9, 2025, KURA Director General Silas Kinoti declared that the authority would intensify surveillance and enforcement, targeting both driver indiscipline and negligence by contractors at construction sites. "Drivers must observe all road signs as we head into the festive season. As the authority building these roads, I expect full discipline on site," Kinoti stated. He emphasized that safety is a shared responsibility and that those found contravening traffic laws will be apprehended and face legal action.

The warning extends forcefully to contractors, who are mandated to ensure all active roadwork sites are equipped with adequate and clear safety signage. "Contractors must install all required signage — no excuses. Our Engineers will enforce compliance," Kinoti added, signaling a zero-tolerance approach to lapses that endanger road users.

A Grim Reality: National Road Accident Statistics

The authority's proactive stance is underscored by alarming data from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA). According to a September 2025 report, 3,397 people lost their lives in road accidents in the first nine months of the year, a slight increase from the same period in 2024. The total number of people affected by road crashes, including those with serious and minor injuries, rose to 17,270.

Pedestrians and motorcyclists remain the most vulnerable groups, accounting for 1,285 and 858 fatalities, respectively, during this period. Data from the 2024/2025 financial year further revealed that Nairobi County recorded the highest number of fatalities, with major arteries like Thika Superhighway, Mombasa Road, and Outering Road being prominent blackspots.

Historically, the festive season sees a surge in travel, which, combined with factors like speeding, drunk driving, and driver fatigue, leads to a higher incidence of tragic accidents. The NTSA's National Road Safety Action Plan (2024–2028) notes that a significant percentage of fatal crashes occur in the evenings, between 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM, when poor visibility and higher speeds are common.

Legal and Economic Consequences

Under the Traffic Act, Kenyan law prescribes strict penalties for violations. Offences such as speeding can attract fines ranging from KSh 500 to KSh 10,000, while more severe violations like drunk driving can lead to fines up to KSh 200,000 or imprisonment. Ignoring traffic signs, a key focus of KURA's warning, can result in a fine of KSh 3,000. For contractors, negligence leading to accidents can result in legal liability, breach of contract, and potential blacklisting from future government projects.

The economic toll of road carnage on Kenya is staggering. A recent analysis noted that road traffic crashes are estimated to cost the country's economy approximately 5% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually. This includes direct costs related to healthcare, which the Ministry of Health estimates at around KSh 46.1 billion each year, and indirect costs from loss of productivity and property damage.

A Coordinated Effort for Safer Roads

KURA's initiative is part of a broader, multi-agency effort to enhance road safety. The Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, recently assured the public that security agencies are developing strategies to ensure safety during the holidays, coordinating with regional commanders. This collaborative approach involves the NTSA, the National Police Service, and other road authorities like the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA).

These efforts are reminiscent of past and ongoing national campaigns like "Usalama Barabarani," which aim to sensitize the public and enforce traffic laws more rigorously, particularly along high-risk corridors. As thousands of Kenyans prepare to travel to various destinations to celebrate with family and friends, the message from authorities is unequivocal: adherence to safety regulations is not optional. The collective vigilance of every road user will be critical in preventing this festive season from becoming another period of tragic and avoidable loss on Kenyan roads.