Authorities Sound Alarm as Kiambu Records 300 Road Deaths Ahead of Festive Travel Peak

As Kenyans travel across the country for Christmas and end-of-year festivities, road safety authorities and medical experts have intensified calls for caution, warning that the peak travel season often comes with a surge in road accidents and fatalities.

In Kiambu County, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) says it has heightened vigilance in a bid to reduce or completely eliminate road crashes during the festive period. 

Pavleen Mutuma, the NTSA head in the Kiambu region, said reversing the worrying trend of road deaths has been prioritised.

Kiambu County currently ranks second nationally in road fatalities, having recorded approximately 300 deaths this year, figures Mutuma described as deeply alarming.

“In Kiambu County right now, we are second in terms of fatalities, with around 300 deaths. Because of this, road safety has become our major priority and we are doing everything possible to ensure that accidents go down,” Mutuma said.

She explained that several preventive measures have been rolled out well ahead of the festive season through coordinated multi-agency road safety operations aimed at identifying and addressing high-risk areas. These initiatives brought together the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) and the Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (NAMATA).

“Even before the festive season, we carried out two major multi-agency roadshows where we mapped out risk areas and assessed what needed to be done. We worked closely with KeNHA, KeRRA, KURA, the Kenya Red Cross Society and NAMATA and we also sensitised pedestrians, bodaboda riders, cyclists and motorists,” she said.

(RELATED VIDEO: 300 Road Deaths in Kiambu: Government Sounds Alarm as Festive Travel Peaks)

The call for caution was echoed by KeNHA Chairperson Winfred Ngumi, who urged motorists to strictly use roads for their intended purpose and comply with traffic laws.

Ngumi cautioned against risky behaviour such as overlapping, overspeeding and drinking and driving, noting that enforcement agencies will remain on high alert throughout the festive season.

“We appreciate that there is a lot of travel during this period. My appeal to Kenyans is to remain calm and use the roads as they are intended. Do not overlap, observe road signs and keep to speed limits,” Ngumi said.

She added that KeNHA is working closely with the National Police Service and NTSA to ensure smooth traffic flow and prompt response to incidents.

“This is a joint effort by all agencies to make sure people get home safely. Don’t overspeed, don’t drink and drive, behave responsibly and you will reach your destination,” she said.

Medical experts have also weighed in, warning that road crashes often resulted in severe and sometimes life-threatening injuries.

Dr. Daniel Somba, a consultant radiologist and head of MIC Imaging Centre in Thika, said accident victims frequently suffer injuries to the head, chest, abdomen and limbs, some of which may not be immediately visible.

“This is a season when many accidents occur, and we urge Kenyans to drive slowly, observe road safety rules and respect other road users,” Dr. Somba said.

He advised accident victims and caregivers to watch out for warning signs such as visible bleeding, abdominal swelling and breathing difficulties, which may indicate serious internal injuries.

“There can be internal bleeding in the head, chest or abdomen that is not visible. Imaging such as ultrasound, X-rays and CT scans helps determine whether a person is injured and the extent of that injury,” he explained.

Dr. Somba warned that a swollen abdomen after an accident could signal internal bleeding or organ rupture, while difficulty breathing may point to lung injury, broken ribs or air and blood leaking into the chest cavity.

With the festive season often characterised by heavy traffic, hurried travel and high speeds as drivers rush to maximise trips and profits, experts are urging motorists to slow down and prioritise safety.

They say responsible driving, strict adherence to traffic laws and seeking prompt medical attention after accidents could save lives and spare families from tragedy during the holiday season.