Road deaths around the world have fallen by 21 per cent over
the past 15 years, but Kenya is moving in the opposite direction, with fatalities
rising.
New data released by the World Health Organization (WHO)
shows road traffic deaths dropped globally between 2011 and 2025 despite the
number of motor vehicles increasing by more than one billion.
However, Kenya's own figures show more people are dying on roads.
Government data shows road deaths have remained above 4,300
every year over the past five years. Last year the deaths increased 3.4 per
cent to 4,458, up from 4,311 in 2024, the National Transport and Safety
Authority said.
Police data also shows reported crashes increased from 9,990
in 2023 to 11,173 in 2024.
The WHO report comes as the United Nations General Assembly
adopted a new declaration calling on countries to reduce road deaths and serious
injuries by half by 2030, compared to 2021 levels.
WHO estimates show that road crashes still killed 1.16
million people in 2025. Road traffic injuries remain the leading cause of
death among children and young people aged between five and 29 years.
WHO Director General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus said the
decline in global deaths proves that governments can make roads safer if they
invest in the right measures.
“This progress shows that change is possible when countries
invest in safe road systems. In the last 15 years we’ve made real progress in
reducing road deaths, despite surging vehicle numbers and major shifts in how
people move,” he said.
“I commend countries for the strong political declaration
they are adopting today, which aims to accelerate action to ensure more roads
are designed for people first, not motor vehicles, with safety as priority. All
road deaths are preventable, and none are acceptable.”
A new UN General Assembly declaration commits countries to
strengthening national road safety plans by setting clear targets, timelines
and budgets. It also calls for better road safety agencies, stronger data
collection, tougher traffic laws and safer roads, vehicles and infrastructure.
Countries also agreed to adopt what experts call the
"safe system" approach.
The approach accepts that people will always make mistakes
while using the road. Instead of relying only on drivers to avoid crashes, it
focuses on building safer roads, lowering speed limits where needed, improving
vehicles and putting in place rules that reduce the chances of people being
killed when crashes happen.
The declaration also asks governments to provide stronger
leadership and urges businesses to put road safety first throughout their
operations. Civil society groups, researchers, young people, charities and the
UN are also expected to play a bigger role.
Kenya’s approach focuses mainly on punishing drivers.
Speaking last year during the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic
Victims, NTSA’s director of motor vehicle inspection and road safety Angela
Wanjira said the authority was introducing new interventions to curb the rising
number of fatalities.
“Among the measures we will set to undertake going forward
is subjecting drivers who were flagged through enforcement initiatives to mandatory re-testing
to confirm their competency on the road,” she said.
WHO said ride-hailing and delivery services have caused
motorcycle numbers to more than triple between 2011 and 2025.
Motorcyclists now account for nearly one in every three road
deaths worldwide. WHO says wearing a safe motorcycle helmet reduces the risk of
dying in a crash by more than six times.
New transport options such as electric scooters, electric
bicycles and self-driving vehicles are also creating new safety challenges.
Dr Etienne Krug, Director of the WHO Department of Health
Determinants, Promotion and Prevention, said many road users remain at greatest
risk because roads are still designed mainly for cars.
“More than half of all road deaths are people who aren't
even in a car – they are walking, cycling or riding a motorcycle. When roads
are designed as if only car drivers matter, these people are left dangerously
exposed,” he said.
“We know what works – strong laws and enforcement, safe
infrastructure and vehicles with particular attention to lowering speed and
addressing impaired driving. This declaration means we must all go further and
faster.”
Progress has not been equal across the world.
WHO says road deaths fell by 36 per cent in Europe, 15 per
cent in the Western Pacific and two per cent in South-East Asia. The Americas
recorded no change, while deaths rose by 17 per cent across the Africa region.
Kenya's recent figures mirror that regional trend.
The National Police Service and road safety agencies have
repeatedly linked crashes to speeding, dangerous overtaking, drunk driving,
defective vehicles, failure to wear seat belts, failure to obey traffic rules
and drivers losing control of their vehicles.
WHO says making roads safer is about much more than
preventing crashes. It says safer transport systems encourage more people to
walk, cycle and use public transport, helping reduce traffic congestion,
improve air quality and build healthier cities where people live longer.
Instant analysis
Kenya’s rising road fatalities despite a global decline highlight persistent challenges in road safety management. While countries worldwide are adopting safer road designs, stronger enforcement and improved transport systems, Kenya continues to record thousands of deaths annually. The figures suggest that focusing mainly on driver punishment may not be enough without broader measures targeting infrastructure, vehicle safety, speed control and protection of vulnerable road users. The growth of motorcycles and changing transport patterns further complicate the challenge. Achieving a reduction in road deaths will require coordinated action involving government agencies, businesses, communities and road users to create safer transport systems.
