In the past five days, Kenya has witnessed the tragic loss of at least 80 lives on its roads, a figure that has left many citizens deeply concerned about the state of road safety in the country.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir on Monday announced that his ministry had begun nationwide safety audits and inspections targeting road segments known for frequent accidents.
According to Chirchir, the aim is to identify hazards, reconstruct accident scenes, and recommend technical solutions within seven days.
He stressed that most crashes are preventable if all road users take responsibility and follow the rules.However, the Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK) has taken a different position, pointing fingers squarely at government agencies for failing to address long-standing safety issues.
In a strongly worded statement to newsrooms, the association dismissed the government’s efforts as mere knee-jerk PR stunts, claiming that state agencies enable the continued disregard of traffic regulations.
MAK accused the National Transport Safety Authority (NTSA) of ignoring the concerns of the public and doing little to tackle the real causes of road accidents.
According to MAK, these agencies have been taking “protection money” to look the other way when traffic laws are blatantly broken.
They also accused NTSA officials of staging media appearances to shift blame while issuing empty statements that do nothing to save lives.
The association further claimed that NTSA is responsible for licensing incompetent drivers and conducting sham vehicle inspections, often accepting bribes to allow unroadworthy vehicles to remain in use.
They cited a BBC investigation that exposed how driving licenses are being issued without the necessary training or skills, with many commercial vehicles avoiding genuine inspection altogether.
MAK also referenced reports from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission which indicate that law enforcement officers extort motorists an estimated Ksh 3 billion every month, creating a cycle of corruption that undermines safety efforts.
The association also criticized the Roads Ministry for failing to address known dangerous infrastructure designs.
They singled out the Coptic Roundabout in Kisumu, infamous for its frequent accidents, as well as roads in Ruiru, Mutindwa, Moredat, and Dandora, which continue to claim lives despite the availability of funds for repairs and maintenance.
Additionally, MAK called out Kenya Railways for not installing barriers at rail crossings, an oversight they believe continues to endanger road users.
The association insists that unless these deep-rooted issues of corruption, poor infrastructure, and lax enforcement are addressed, Kenya will continue to mourn needless deaths on its roads.
