It happens in a split second. In a video now circulating widely across Kenyan social media, the terrifying reality of our roads is laid bare: patience is a survival skill, but sometimes, even that isn’t enough.

The footage, captured by a dashboard camera in Kisumu, shows a pedestrian doing everything right. He waits. He checks. As several vehicles slow to a halt to let him cross, he steps forward, a black bag in hand, trusting the unwritten pact of the road. Then, chaos strikes. A boda boda rider, carrying a pillion passenger and ignoring the stopped traffic, swerves to overtake—slamming directly into the man.

A Culture of Impunity

The sickening thud of the impact, followed by the rider and passenger tumbling onto the tarmac, has sparked outrage, but for residents of Kisumu, it is a wearyingly familiar scene. While onlookers and traffic police rushed to assist the victims, the incident highlights a lethal habit: the flagrant disregard for pedestrian crossings.

"This is not an accident; it is negligence," says road safety advocate Mark Ochieng. "When cars stop, it is a signal. Overtaking at a crossing is a death sentence for pedestrians."

Under Kenyan traffic laws, failing to stop at a pedestrian crossing attracts a fine of just KES 3,000. Yet, the cost to human life is incalculable. Experts argue that these "slap-on-the-wrist" penalties do little to deter riders who view traffic rules as mere suggestions.

A Dark Day for Kisumu Roads

This viral incident is merely the tip of the iceberg. It comes on a particularly dark day for the region. Just hours earlier, in Ahero, a collision between a 14-seater matatu and a motorcycle left two people dead.

According to police reports, the Ahero crash occurred when a rider attempted to overtake a vehicle, colliding head-on with the oncoming PSV. The rider and his passenger died on the spot—a tragic echo of the recklessness seen in the viral video.

The Numbers Don't Lie

Data from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) paints a grim picture of the risks facing Kenyans today:

• Pedestrians are the most vulnerable: In the first quarter of 2025 alone, over 420 pedestrians lost their lives on our roads.
• The Boda Boda Surge: Motorcyclist fatalities are rising, with over 300 riders dying in the same period.
• The "Overtaking" Factor: Improper overtaking remains one of the leading causes of fatal crashes in Western Kenya.

As the injured pedestrian from the viral video fights for recovery, the question remains: How many more videos must we watch before the culture on our roads changes? For now, the message to every Kenyan is clear—when crossing the road, assume you are invisible.