As of August 28, 2024, 1,177 pedestrians have perished in traffic accidents in 2024 so far
A pedestrian is more likely to die in a road accident than any other road user in Kenya, if recently released by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) are anything to go by.
As of August 28, 2024, 1,177 pedestrians have perished in traffic accidents in 2024 so far, an increase from 1,044 during the same period in 2023, showing just how using Kenyan roads as a pedestrian exposes one to dangerous occurrences more than even motorcyclists, who fall second in the fatality list.
On Sunday, September 8, a passenger bus overturned along Thika Road at the Roysambu roundabout in Nairobi, leaving several injured.
Reports indicated that the bus driver was trying to avoid hitting a pedestrian who was crossing the service lane, resulting in the crash.
Image of a sign showing an accident scene. /FILE
“Nairobi County had the highest number of pedestrian deaths (251). This is 58 per cent of the total fatalities that have occurred within the county. Kiambu was the second leading with 205 fatalities,” said NTSA in its report.
Poor road design, distracted behaviour, and crossing in non-designated areas have been blamed as the main causes of pedestrian deaths.
As aforementioned, motorcyclists followed suit, with 710 fatalities in 2024 compared to 758 in this period in 2023, a notable drop that would display evidence of enhanced safety measures amongst the riders and pillion passengers in that sector.
Passengers came in third in terms of fatalities at 595 followed by drivers at 262, pillion passengers at 259 and pedal cyclists at 53.
In total, NTSA recorded 3,056 deaths from 7,114 accidents in 2024 so far, an increase from 2,910 deaths from 6,411 accidents in this period in 2023, raising concerns in terms of what is done to curb the rise in road accidents. 15,651 victims have been involved in road accidents this year compared to 14,745 last year.
Traffic accidents are most prevalent on weekends, with Sunday recording the highest number of fatalities. There have been concerns about how motorists have been complying with traffic rules, with the worst accident witnessed during the past month blamed on driver negligence.
That accident which occurred in the Migaa area near Salgaa along the Nakuru-Nairobi highway claimed 14 lives and left 55 others injured, with survivors saying that it could have been avoided.
Despite police involvement, a survivor of the Coast Bus crash revealed that the Mombasa-bound bus, which experienced mechanical failures, received inadequate attention. The bus’s brake failure led to the crash at the Migaa blackspot.
In another severe incident, a collision on the Tharaka Nithi bridge on August 31 resulted in 12 fatalities, including eight women, two men, and two children.
Despite repeated promises, including a commitment from President William Ruto to redesign the bridge, the dangerous spot has remained a risk, continuing to claim lives. However, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua assured that the government is committed to expediting the road’s redesign.
“I have instructed the Transport Principal Secretary to fast-track the process. We have continued to lose many lives at this spot, which is unacceptable,” he said.
Other notable accidents include a head-on collision involving a Range Rover and a canter in Maji ya Chumvi, resulting in two fatalities, and a near-miss incident at Sachang’wan blackspot, where a school bus collided with several vehicles, but no fatalities were reported.
Accident scene at Tharaka Bridge in Tharaka Nithi on August 31, 2024. /PHOTO