Tuesday, August 12,
2025 - Kenya is grappling with a worsening road safety crisis after more
than 80 people lost their lives in road accidents over the past four days.
On Monday, Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir
announced nationwide safety audits targeting accident-prone road sections.
The inspections, to be completed in seven days, aim to
identify hazards, reconstruct crash scenes, and produce technical
recommendations.
Chirchir insisted that accidents are preventable if all road
users play their part.
However, the Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK) accused Government
agencies of enabling the crisis through corruption and negligence.
In a statement, MAK dismissed the Ministry’s actions as
“knee-jerk PR stunts” while state bodies such as the National Transport and
Safety Authority (NTSA) allegedly ignore blatant violations of traffic laws in
exchange for bribes.
The association claimed NTSA issues driving licences to
incompetent motorists and conducts sham vehicle inspections.
Citing a BBC investigation, MAK said licences are often
acquired without proper training, and many commercial vehicles bypass genuine
inspection.
It also referenced Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission
reports estimating police extort motorists Ksh3 billion monthly.
MAK further criticised the Roads Ministry for failing to fix
known blackspots such as Kisumu’s Coptic Roundabout and roads in Ruiru,
Mutindwa, Moredat and Dandora despite available maintenance funds.
Kenya Railways was also faulted for lacking safety barriers
at railway crossings.
The group warned that without systemic reforms and
accountability, the road carnage will persist despite the ministry’s latest
safety audits.
The Kenyan DAILY POST
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