Police Launch Nationwide Crackdown as Road Deaths Near 50 in Two Weeks

Nairobi, Kenya – The National Police Service (NPS) has announced an intensified countrywide road compliance operation following a surge in deadly traffic accidents that have claimed nearly 50 lives in just two weeks.

NPS spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said the multi-agency crackdown will target dangerous driving practices and non-compliant vehicles, with police working alongside transport authorities to enforce road safety laws more strictly.

Scope of the Operation

The enforcement drive will include:

• Speed monitoring for public service vehicles (PSVs) and commercial trucks.

• Overloading checks for both passengers and cargo.

• Route compliance to ensure vehicles operate only on licensed routes.

• Anti-drunk-driving patrols and random alcohol tests.

• Removal of unlawful lights and modifications from vehicles.

• Verification of licences issued by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).

• Impounding of unroadworthy vehicles.

• Enforcement of safety standards among PSV Saccos.

Nyaga emphasised that the measures are intended not only to curb reckless driving but also to instil a culture of compliance across the transport sector.

Recent Tragedies Prompt Action

The crackdown follows a series of fatal accidents, including:

• The overturning of a bus at the Coptic Roundabout on the Kisumu–Kakamega highway.

• A head-on collision on Namanga Road in Kajiado County.

In its statement, the NPS expressed condolences to bereaved families and stressed that most of these crashes were preventable had drivers and pedestrians adhered to traffic regulations.

Root Causes of Accidents

Authorities have identified key contributors to the recent rise in fatalities:

• Speeding and dangerous overtaking.

• Drunk driving and impaired judgment.

• Overloading of passengers and cargo.

• Driver fatigue on long-haul routes.

• Careless pedestrian crossing in high-traffic areas.

“It should be appreciated that life is not only precious but also irreplaceable,” the NPS said, urging passengers to hold drivers accountable and to report reckless behaviour through toll-free hotlines.

Collective Responsibility

Police are appealing to all road users to treat road safety as a shared responsibility, warning that enforcement will be uncompromising for repeat offenders. The NPS hopes that sustained crackdowns, coupled with public vigilance, will help reverse the rising trend of fatalities on Kenyan roads.