The government confirmed that 9,002 people have died in road crashes in Kenya up to early October 2026, a figure attributed partly to poor obedience to traffic laws.

National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) data indicate that 3,995 deaths occurred between 1 January and 4 October, averaging about 14 fatalities per day.

In addition to the deaths, the NTSA reported more than 9,000 serious injuries and over 6,000 minor injuries, with pedestrians and motorcyclists comprising a large share of the victims.

The authority identified poor road infrastructure, driver behaviour and vehicle conditions as key contributors, noting that vehicle‑related factors account for roughly 17 % of crashes.

NTSA Director of Road Safety Andrew Kipalgat stressed a four‑question framework—vehicle, road, road user and post‑crash response—to determine responsibility after an accident.

The agency has mapped more than 270 road‑crash black spots nationwide, with 199 located along the Mombasa‑Malaba Northern Corridor, and highlighted the Salama stretch on the Nairobi‑Mombasa Highway as a design‑related risk area.

Recent incidents on the Salama stretch, including a fatal multi‑vehicle collision that killed 17 Catholic pilgrims on 3 October, have intensified calls for safety improvements.

Local residents say they have repeatedly raised safety concerns with road authorities, police and the county commissioner, noting dozens of deaths on that segment in 2026.

In response, NTSA said it has stepped up enforcement, suspending 25 driver licences, summoning 20 matatu SACCOs and impounding more than 2,400 vehicles in the past three months.