Emerging Issues in Road Safety in Kenya: Government Strategy to Enhance Traffic Safety
Author: Robin Mariita Aondo, Kenya
Studies have shown that road traffic accidents are common in emerging economies and low income countries which accounts for over 90 percent of the global road traffic fatalities. World Health Organization report (2016) places Africa as the worst performing continent with an average over 27 deaths per 100,000. The United Nations declaration that 2011 to 2020 as the decade for road safety. The United Nations projects road traffic fatalities to rise by 2020 up to 8.4 million; this is due to the current statistics that show that over seventeen percent globally. The transport sector in Kenya has grown immensely especially public transport in a short span of time. The data from NTSA as at July 2018 shows that 581 fatalities are pedestrians, 164 drivers, 463 are passengers, 27 bicycle and 286 are motorcycle related. Current spate of accidents in Kenyan roads calls for a diagnosis and management of the leading road traffic deaths and injuries that enables appropriate action and resource. The national government has adopted a five year action plan that has been developed. The Action Plan is limited to five years as progress and development in Kenya is moving rapidly. Key improvement points include that the NTSA actions should be taken to address the following key issues; Development of a national road traffic accidents database; the data base should be comprehensive and inclusive of medical cost, material and intervention cost and any other loses, injuries, deaths ; also safety performance indicators such as alcohol consumption levels, vehicle safety, management of trauma, speed limits, road infrastructure, helmets and implementation indicators that is programs, plans and policies.