A massive nationwide crackdown on traffic offenders is in full swing as Kenyans begin their festive season travel, a period already marred by a tragic spike in road fatalities. The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), in a joint operation with the National Police Service and the Judiciary, has deployed mobile courts and anti-corruption agents to major highways to enforce immediate justice and curb bribery.

This aggressive enforcement comes as the country grapples with sobering statistics. As of early December 2025, more than 4,458 people have lost their lives on Kenyan roads, surpassing the total of 4,311 recorded for the entire year of 2024. The advisory from authorities is stark: every choice made by drivers and passengers in the coming days will determine who makes it home for the New Year.

A Coordinated Dragnet on the Highways

The government has rolled out a multi-pronged strategy aimed at preventing the usual holiday carnage. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki noted that the operation targets high-risk corridors with increased police visibility and both physical and electronic surveillance. In a significant move, Chief Justice Martha Koome announced the deployment of mobile courts along major routes to ensure instant prosecution of offenders, a measure intended as a strong deterrent.

Furthermore, officers from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) are on the ground to monitor the enforcement and arrest motorists or officers engaging in bribery. Authorities have emphasized that the crackdown is not just about punishment, but about fundamentally shifting behaviour on the roads. Key areas of focus include:

• Speeding and Driver Fatigue: PSV drivers are warned against overworking to maximize profits, with the law mandating a maximum of eight driving hours per shift.
• Drunk Driving: The infamous Alcoblow breathalyser tests have made a return, with increased patrols on routes like the Nairobi-Mombasa and Nairobi-Malaba highways.
• Vehicle Roadworthiness: Roadside checks are being conducted to ensure all vehicles, especially Public Service Vehicles (PSVs), are in good mechanical condition.
• Overloading: NTSA has issued a stern warning against the dangerous practice of carrying excess passengers, particularly the use of makeshift seats known as "sambaza."

Your Journey, Your Responsibility

While enforcement is high, officials are stressing that road safety is a shared responsibility. The NTSA has advised all motorists to plan their journeys and, where possible, travel during daytime hours between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. to avoid hazards like reduced visibility and fatigue. Passengers have also been empowered to speak up against reckless driving.

To manage the inevitable congestion, especially for those heading to Western and Nyanza regions, the government has recommended alternative routes. Travellers can use the Nairobi–Suswa–Narok road to bypass the heavily used Mai Mahiu escarpment, while those going through the Central region can consider the Nairobi–Nyeri–Nyahururu–Nakuru route.

The economic cost of these accidents is staggering, draining an estimated KES 800 billion (approximately $6.15 billion) from the Kenyan economy annually. But the immediate cost is measured in lives. As Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja warned, “One life lost is one too many.” The message this festive season is clear: the greatest gift you can give your family is to arrive alive.