Over 5,000: Ruto alarmed by high road deaths

President William Ruto addressing members of the National Council on the Administration of Justice at State House, Nairobi, on March 2, 2026. /PCS

President William Ruto has raised the alarm over the high number of road fatalities in Kenya, calling for urgent reforms to curb the loss of lives and strengthen the justice system’s response to traffic incidents.

Speaking at State House, Nairobi, where he hosted members of the National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ) on Monday, President Ruto said more than 5,000 deaths were reported on Kenyan roads in 2025 alone, representing a worrying increase compared to 2024.

“Kenya records more than 4,000 road fatalities annually. Last year alone, 5,009 deaths were reported on our roads, an increase of 261 compared to 2024,” Ruto said.

He said road accidents, injuries and fatalities cost the national economy the equivalent of five per cent of GDP, amounting to roughly Sh450 billion annually.

“Despite sustained interventions over the years, road accidents continue to exact a heavy and unacceptable toll on our nation,” Ruto said.

He said during the 2025 festive season, 415 deaths were recorded, a 23 per cent increase from the previous year, highlighting the persistent risk to public safety.

The President praised the pilot of a coordinated inter-agency traffic justice model under the NCAJ framework, which brought together law enforcement, prosecutors and the Judiciary.

The initiative, implemented during the 2025-26 festive season, involved 36 prosecutors, 40 Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission officers and 121 NTSA officers and achieved a 10 per cent reduction in fatalities involving Public Service Vehicles.

However, Ruto emphasised that emerging risks, including accidents involving private vehicles, night-time truck crashes and boda boda-related incidents require immediate attention.

He cited weak enforcement, bribery, inconsistent fines, unroadworthy vehicles and poor inter-agency coordination as key contributors to road accidents.

To address these challenges, the President directed a comprehensive package of reforms.

These reforms include the introduction of instant fines and a demerit points system for driving licences, the standardisation of driver training, and fast-tracking the NCAJ Bill.

He also called for digital integration across traffic enforcement, including CCTV and speed cameras, an electronic traffic case management system, and secure digital evidence frameworks.

Ruto further highlighted police and integrity reforms, including the deployment of body-worn cameras for traffic officers, strengthened vetting, and improved welfare and supervision.

He urged non-justice agencies to prioritise road safety measures, including blackspot identification, safety-by-design in road projects, and formalisation of boda boda operations.

“The way forward is clear,” he said. “Road safety must be pursued through a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. We cannot, and we will not, accept the continued loss of Kenyan lives on our roads.”

The meeting underscored the government’s commitment to implementing swift and decisive reforms, moving from pilot initiatives to full national transformation.