Several government agencies, including the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), and the National Police Service (NPS), have launched a coordinated crackdown on non-compliant and unroadworthy vehicles across Kenya. The operation, which began in late November 2025, is a direct response to the alarming increase in road fatalities and aims to enhance safety on the nation's highways during the busy festive season.

This multi-agency initiative will see increased surveillance and enforcement on major transport corridors, with a particular focus on commercial and public service vehicles. According to a statement from KeNHA on Sunday, November 23, 2025, the crackdown is already active, particularly in Western Kenya, targeting sugarcane transporters for violations such as overloading and operating vehicles in unsafe conditions, especially at night. In one cited incident, a tractor on the Kisumu-Busia road was impounded for carrying a load with a height of five metres, exceeding the legal limit of 4.2 metres. The driver is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, November 24, 2025, under the Traffic Act.

Rising Fatalities Prompt Action

The crackdown comes against a backdrop of grim road safety statistics. According to NTSA data released in November 2025, there has been a notable increase in road crash victims. Between January 1 and October 22, 2025, a total of 3,890 people died in road accidents, compared to 3,805 during the same period in 2024. By November 13, 2025, the number of fatalities had risen to 4,195, a 2.9% increase from the 4,077 deaths recorded in the equivalent period of the previous year. Pedestrians remain the most vulnerable group, accounting for 1,580 of the deaths recorded by mid-November.

In response to these figures, lawmakers have urged the Ministry of Roads and Transport and the NTSA to implement more stringent measures. During a recent Senate debate, legislators highlighted the hazardous conditions on major highways, including the Nairobi-Mombasa, Nakuru-Eldoret, and Eldoret-Malaba roads, citing issues like poor lighting, inadequate signage, and unmarked speed bumps as contributing factors to the high number of accidents.

A Multi-Faceted Approach to Enforcement

The current operation is part of a broader national campaign to improve road safety. The NTSA has announced several interventions, including the mandatory re-testing of drivers who have been flagged for traffic violations through its Intelligent Road Safety Management System (IRSMS). This digital platform, launched in 2023, monitors public service and commercial vehicles, tracking data on speed, braking patterns, and driver behaviour to identify high-risk individuals.

Acting NTSA Director-General Angela Wanjira confirmed that the authority would enforce real-time data transmission from the IRSMS to ensure continuous monitoring during the festive period. Drivers found to be violating safety standards risk having their licenses suspended and will be required to undergo corrective training. Furthermore, the NTSA, in collaboration with the police, will conduct pre-festive inspection clinics at major bus terminals to ensure vehicles are roadworthy before they embark on long journeys.

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has affirmed the commitment of the National Police Service to the campaign. Multi-agency teams, comprising police officers, NTSA officials, and representatives from PSV Saccos, will be deployed along major highways to enforce traffic regulations. These teams will be checking for compliance with a range of regulations, including the mandatory installation of KEBS-certified speed limiters, valid insurance and inspection certificates, and the presence of essential safety equipment like fire extinguishers and first-aid kits.

Economic and Social Implications

Road accidents have a significant negative impact on the Kenyan economy. According to a 2023 report, overloading alone is estimated to cause an additional road maintenance cost of over KSh 1.17 million per kilometre annually. The government has invested heavily in road infrastructure, with President William Ruto recently announcing plans to dual 2,500 kilometres of highways over the next decade. Protecting this investment through measures like axle load enforcement is a key priority for KeNHA. The East African Community Vehicle Load Control Act of 2016 provides the legal framework for fining overloaded vehicles, with penalties designed to deter non-compliance.

The social cost of road accidents is also immense. As noted by Vision 2030 Director-General Kenneth Mwige, the death of one person can economically affect up to seven families. The ongoing crackdown, therefore, is not only a matter of enforcing traffic laws but also a crucial intervention to save lives, reduce the burden on the healthcare system, and mitigate the economic and social consequences of road carnage. As the festive season approaches, authorities are urging all road users to exercise caution, adhere to traffic regulations, and cooperate with enforcement officers to ensure a safe holiday period for everyone.