Police launches partnership with riders on road safety

NPS Deputy Director for Corporate Communications Dorothy Mugarusha speaking during a boda boda sensitization forum in Eldoret

The National Police Service (NPS) is partnering with boda boda riders to help reduce increasing accidents involving the operators in the country.

NPS deputy director for corporate communication Dorothy Migarusha said data on accidents involving boda boda riders and their passengers shows a worsening trend in both fatalities and injuries.

In 2024, there were 1,166 fatalities compared to 1,273 in 2025, representing a nine per cent increase.

Regarding serious injuries, there were 2,618 cases in 2024 and 2,768 in 2025, showing a six per cent increase. Slight injuries recorded were 725 in 2024 and 720 in 2025.

In total, there were 4,509 accidents involving motorcyclists in 2024 and 4,762 in 2025, representing an increase of six per cent.

Pillion passengers who died in 2024 were 2,981, while in 2025 the number rose to 3,056 deaths. Passengers who sustained serious injuries were 1,719 in 2024 and 1,737 in 2025.

“The main cause of the accidents is careless riding and speeding. When riding at high speed, it becomes difficult to control the motorcycles, leading to accidents,” Migarusha said.

She was speaking in Eldoret where the NPS participated in the just-ended National ASK Show to exhibit some of the services offered by the service.

She was accompanied by Uasin Gishu county police commander Benjamin Mwanthi, among other senior officers.

The NPS distributed reflector jackets to riders donated by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations as part of the Fichua Kwa DCI campaign to help deal with crime.

“At the show we have also sensitised residents on how to access some of the services we offer, and we have sensitised boda boda riders on road safety,” Migarusha said.

She urged the riders to avoid using drugs and alcohol and to strictly observe traffic regulations.

Mwanthi also urged the riders to keep off from engaging in crime and instead report suspicious incidents and criminals to the police.

“Do not assist criminals using boda bodas because by doing so you are also criminals,” Mwanthi said.

He said most of the riders were good citizens except for a few criminal elements among them.

Migarusha said full adherence to traffic regulations would lead to the elimination of accidents.

“The riders must make sure they have valid licences and also wear all safety gear, including helmets, to reduce the impact whenever accidents occur,” Migarusha said.

Uasin Gishu boda boda riders chairman Vincent Sakwa said they are willing to work with the NPS in dealing with crime and accidents.