Chief Justice Martha Koome (centre) chairperson of the National Council on the Administration of Justice, briefs the media on December 15, 2025, on the rising cases of road accidents. With her are Principal Secretary Salome Wairimu Muhia-Beacco, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga and Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo and other council members.
A tragic road accident in Nyamira County on Sunday left the Rangenyo SDA Choir devastated as it claimed the lives of eight of its members, who were among the 10 people killed.
The latest crash keeps the spotlight on the safety of Kenya’s roads, on which 4,682 people have died so far this year, a 5 per cent increase from 4,479 last year, according to data from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).
That rising number of deaths over the past week has prompted the formation of a multi-agency team to address the worrying trend, which has turned the festive mood to grief for many families.
On Monday, a crisis meeting was held in Nairobi under the umbrella of the National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ) to formulate measures to curb the increasing fatalities.
In Sunday’s accident, the choir members were returning from a wedding celebration in Kakamega when disaster struck. Among those killed were the bride’s parents and brother, who had accompanied the group.
The matatu carrying the choir members collided head-on with a lorry carrying cement near Chabera on the Oyugis-Sondu road.
The wreckage of a matatu that was involved in an accident near Chabera Trading center in Rachuonyo East in Homa Bay County.
Eyewitness accounts and preliminary police investigations suggest the driver of the lorry lost control while attempting a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre.
Six survivors were rushed to Rachuonyo County Hospital for emergency treatment before being referred to Nyamira County Referral Hospital for specialised care.
“The lorry was overtaking in a dangerous area, and the matatu had no chance to manoeuvre. Lives depend on the decisions drivers make,” said Rachuonyo East Sub-County Police Commander Laban Omol.
Monday’s discussions by different stakeholders over the crashes came amid a string of accidents claiming lives across the country, including former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo, who died when his vehicle collided head-on with a bus in the Karai area of Naivasha last Saturday.
The NCAJ talks brought together the National Police Service, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Judiciary, the Office of the Attorney General, NTSA, the State Department for Correctional Services, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Kenya Prisons Service, and the Law Society of Kenya.
The participants acknowledged that these accidents are not only devastating families, but also negatively affecting the country’s economy.
NCAJ Chairperson, Chief Justice Martha Koome, said the increase in deaths due to road accidents had raised concern.
“The meeting was held against a backdrop of an alarming rise in traffic-related deaths—from 4,479 in 2024 to 4,682 in 2025,” CJ Koome said.
To ensure the safety of Kenyans travelling upcountry for Christmas, the council resolved to undertake several measures on highways, which it said had become “highways of death”. She called on Kenyans to cooperate with authorities implementing the measures.
“We urge Kenyans to observe traffic rules and regulations to prevent deaths, injuries and traffic congestion. Motorists are particularly advised against speeding, drunk driving and reckless overtaking. Members of the public are encouraged to report road safety concerns using the toll-free numbers 999, 911 and 112,” CJ Koome said.
The council agreed to strengthen multi-agency collaboration, coordination and information sharing to create a unified approach to enforcing traffic laws during the festive season and beyond.
To ensure that non-compliant motorists are held accountable, the team announced the roll-out of mobile courts along major highways.
“This will involve deploying mobile courts using physical and electronic means as deterrence and enforcement measures. Those who require legal representation will be accorded the opportunity and encouraged to consult their advocates,” the CJ explained.
Additionally, EACC officials will be deployed to monitor enforcement of traffic laws and deter corruption.
“Kenyans are urged not to pay bribes if arrested for violating traffic rules. There will also be heightened monitoring of human rights compliance,” she said.
The CJ further encouraged motorists to ensure that their vehicles and motorbikes are roadworthy before embarking on their journeys.
Attention will also be paid to motorbikes violating traffic laws, with measures to streamline their operations for safety under consideration.
Of particular interest will be the Nairobi–Nakuru highway. The A8 corridor is the region’s artery, linking Nairobi to Nakuru, Eldoret and the rest of Western Kenya, as well as neighbouring countries. It is at its busiest when the rest of Kenya is asleep as lorry drivers haul cargo through the night and long-distance travel buses head to Busia, Kisumu and Kakamega, among other destinations.
The trailer that was involved in a crash with a PSV matatu on the on Kericho-Nyamira road on December 13, 2025.
With increased travel, during the festive season, most of it by road, NTSA has cautioned motorists and travellers to observe traffic guidelines while using the busy road, and many others across the country, to avoid accidents.
Read: Mobile courts, alcoblow, 24-hour patrols: Inside security, road safety plans for festive season
“Most accidents on the highway are caused by human error, reckless overtaking, speeding and failure to observe traffic signs. We have also seen cases where heavy trucks lose control on downhill sections because of brake failure,” said Gilgil Sub-County Police Commander Winston Mwakio.
Last Saturday, eight members of the same family died after the vehicle they were in was involved in a crash with a trailer at Bw’arani-Tombe area on the Kericho-Nyamira road.
The wreckage of the PSV matatu that was involved in a crash with a trailer on the on Kericho-Nyamira road on December 13, 2025.
Police said the accident involved a lorry, whose driver escaped after the crash, and a Nissan matatu belonging to Quarser Sacco.
“The trailer was heading towards Kericho when the driver failed to keep to his lane and collided head-on with the matatu, which was travelling towards Nyamira,” a police report stated.
Last week, NTSA suspended the licences of 62 drivers from seven public transport companies after a compliance review revealed numerous safety violations. The authority said the affected drivers must undergo mandatory retesting before their licences can be reinstated.
In addition to the retests, NTSA has instructed the involved companies to conduct road safety awareness training for all their drivers and to present selected vehicles for inspection.
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Reporting by Ruth Mbula, Kevin Cheruyoit, Hillary Kimuyu and Eric Matara.
