Wavinya Ndeti urges motorists to exercise caution as festive travel peaks

Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti has appealed to motorists to exercise heightened caution on the roads as travel increases during the Christmas season.

She warned that reckless driving, speeding and driving under the influence continue to claim lives, particularly among young people.

The governor spoke on Wednesday after joining the faithful in prayer and fellowship during Holy Mass and a children’s baptism ceremony at Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral in Machakos county.

She noted with concern that the festive period had already been marked by a spike in road accidents, urging drivers to plan their journeys early and avoid rushing at the last minute.

“We are now in the Christmas season, and you have seen we have already had so many accidents on our roads. Please, let us just be very careful on the road. If you wanted to travel and you are in a hurry, you should have started yesterday. Don’t start today and speed,” Ndeti said.

She cautioned motorists against excessive speeding, reckless overtaking and disregard for traffic rules, emphasising that such behaviour often leads to fatal outcomes.

“If you speed, you may die on the road. Let us respect traffic rules. Some overtake recklessly, and when you are driving slowly, stay on the left lane so that those who want to overtake use the right lane,” she said.

The governor also took aim at drunk driving, describing it as a persistent and deadly habit that continues to rob families of loved ones during festive seasons.

“Some are drunk driving. If you have decided to drink, enjoy your alcohol at home. If you are travelling for a party, have a teetotaller as your designated driver because we don’t want to lose more lives,” she said.

Ndeti expressed particular concern that many of the victims of road accidents are young people, whom she described as the backbone and future of the country.

“If you look at those we are losing on our roads, many are the youth. We need you. This country belongs to you, so let us be very careful on the roads,” she said.

Beyond road safety, the governor also turned her attention to the welfare of children and young people during the long school holiday, calling on parents and guardians to remain vigilant and proactive.

With schools closed for the festive break, she urged families to ensure children remain positively engaged to prevent idleness and exposure to risky behaviour.

“We also need to take care of our children because it’s a long holiday,” she said.

Ndeti warned that lack of supervision and guidance during extended school breaks often contributes to social challenges affecting young people, including teenage pregnancies and rising HIV infections.

“I am deeply concerned about the rising cases of teenage pregnancies and HIV infections,” she said.

She appealed to parents to take a more supportive and communicative approach when engaging with their children, stressing the importance of mentorship, open dialogue and understanding.

“I urge parents to offer guidance, mentorship and support by talking to our children with love and understanding, rather than shouting at them, so that our youth can make informed and responsible decisions during this holiday period,” she added.

The governor said collective responsibility from motorists, parents, guardians and the wider community was essential to ensuring that the festive season remains safe and joyful for all.

Her remarks come as authorities across the country intensify road safety campaigns and public awareness efforts ahead of increased travel during Christmas and New Year celebrations.