The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has reported a devastating surge in road fatalities, with 25 lives lost in just 16 separate crashes recorded on Tuesday.
The authority confirmed fatalities across multiple counties, including Kakamega, Bungoma, Nakuru, Nyeri, Siaya, Kiambu, Nairobi, Machakos, Narok, Kisii, Turkana, and Basin Gishu.
In a statement Wednesday, they say pedestrians and passengers bore the heaviest toll, accounting for eight deaths each. The crashes also claimed the lives of five motorcyclists, three pillion passengers, and one driver.
“Tragically, on 23 December 2025 alone, 16 crashes were recorded, resulting in 25 lives lost. Most of the victims were pedestrians (8),
passengers (8) followed by motorcyclists (5), pillion passengers (3), and one driver. We extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families and wish a speedy recovery to those injured,’ said NTSA.
As the festive season peaks, the authority has intensified nationwide enforcement, revealing glaring safety failures. Over the past four days, multi-agency compliance checks have uncovered 1,702 safety violations involving commercial, public service, and private vehicles.
The most common offences include absence or malfunction of mandatory speed limiters, drunken driving, operating unroadworthy vehicles, carrying excess passengers, violating insurance requirements and operating without a valid Road Service Licence (RSL)
The crackdown has so far led to the arrest of 42 drivers, with 418 vehicles impounded or flagged for non-compliance.
“Road safety remains our top priority,” the NTSA stated, reaffirming its deployment of “all available resources” to safeguard road users.
“We have deployed all available resources and currently implementing every necessary measure to safeguard lives on our roads.” They added.
The authority is urging all drivers, passengers, motorcyclists, pedestrians, and cyclists to exercise extreme caution, use roads responsibly, and strictly adhere to traffic rules as enforcement initiatives continue.
Meanwhile, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has issued a traffic advisory for motorists travelling along the Rironi-Mau Summit highway.
In a statement, KeNHA said the highway is experiencing a significant increase in traffic volumes, resulting in long queues and delays. They urged drivers to consider alternative routes to ease congestion and ensure smoother journeys.
Motorists are advised to use alternative routes such as the Thika – Magumu – Njabini – Olkalou – Dundori – Lanet – Nakuru; Flyover – Njabini – Olkalou – Dundori – Lanet – Nakuru; Naivasha – Njabini – Olkalou – Dundori – Lanet – Nakuru.
Other alternative routes include Gilgil – Olkalou – Dundori – Lanet – Nakuru; Nakuru – Kampi ya Moto – Eldama Ravine – Makutano; Nakuru – Njoro – Mau Summit; and Ngong – Suswa – Narok – Mau Narok – Nakuru.
The authority added that police officers and traffic marshals have been deployed along the busy routes to manage traffic and maintain order.
