At least 398 people have died in road accidents across Kenya in the first month of 2026, marking an 11 per cent increase compared with the same period last year, officials said on Friday.
Boniface Otieno, a liaison officer for the Traffic Department of the National Police Service (NPS) in Nairobi County, said that 854 accidents had been recorded by January 30, surpassing last year’s total of 850 for the same month.
Pedestrians were the most affected, with 143 deaths, followed by 102 motorcyclists. Passengers accounted for 77 fatalities, while 38 drivers died in crashes involving private vehicles, buses and matatus. Pillion passengers and bicycle riders accounted for 31 and seven deaths, respectively.
“The greatest responsibility for road safety lies with the road user. Even if you have the right of way, please yield. Slow down. It will save time and lives,” Otieno said during an interview on NTV’s Fixing the Nation.
The high number of deaths among passengers has raised concerns about speeding, overloading and non-compliance with safety regulations. Kenya’s Northern Corridor, a vital transport route linking the coast with inland East Africa, has become one of the country’s most dangerous road networks.
Earlier this month, three siblings from Iowa died in a crash on the Naivasha–Nairobi highway, highlighting the dangers of the route.
Three die in Argwings Kodhek Road accident
On Tuesday, three passengers were killed and 14 others were injured when a speeding bus rammed into a broken-down lorry on Argwings Kodhek Road in Nairobi.
According to police and witnesses, the accident occurred near the junction of Argwings Kodhek Road and Oledume Road, causing a huge traffic jam as rescuers rushed to free those trapped.
Joseph Chirchir, the Nairobi Head of Traffic, said the incident occurred after a lorry carrying construction materials stalled while heading towards Kawangware.
“A bus carrying passengers heading for Kawangware rammed into the lorry at high speed, killing two passengers instantly, while a third later died from injuries in hospital,” he said.
He added that the lorry had developed mechanical problems, causing it to stall at the scene. It remained there for hours without being removed, which led to the accident, according to other road users. The lorry driver fled the scene.
Authorities are investigating the accident to determine the necessary action and are searching for the lorry driver. It has emerged that the driver failed to put up a warning sign to alert oncoming vehicles after the lorry broke down.
Reckless overtaking, speeding among leading causes
Kenya recorded 398 road crash deaths in the first month of 2026 alone.
Photo credit: File
Authorities described the rising death toll as alarming and urged motorists, riders and pedestrians to exercise caution on the roads.
On January 20 alone, 10 people were killed, including three passengers, three riders, two pedestrians and two drivers. A further 29 people were seriously injured, including 12 passengers, six riders, four pedestrians, three drivers and three pillion passengers. Victims are receiving treatment in hospitals, placing a financial and emotional strain on families.
The government has launched campaigns to reduce traffic accidents, but officials say reckless overtaking, speeding and drink-driving remain the leading causes. Despite ongoing public safety efforts by the NTSA, nearly 5,000 people were killed in road accidents nationwide last year.
Separately, Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir has announced that the government plans to build the Rironi–Mau Summit Highway to reduce congestion and improve safety on one of the most dangerous sections of the Northern Corridor.
This vital route, which connects the coast to inland East Africa, has become one of the country’s most hazardous road networks.
“The dualling of the road is critical, as it aims to reduce congestion, improve road safety, and facilitate the movement of goods and passengers between Nairobi, Nakuru, western Kenya and our East African neighbours,” Mr Chirchir said on Thursday. “It will also improve connectivity between rural areas and urban centres, enhancing access to markets and essential services, cutting travel time and boosting trade and tourism.”
Road accidents have an enormous economic impact, costing Kenya an estimated Sh800 billion annually and affecting families and the national economy.
The Northern Corridor, which links the Port of Mombasa to landlocked countries including Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, relies on key highways such as the Mombasa–Nairobi Road (A109) and sections of the Nairobi–Malaba Highway (A1).
Despite their importance to regional trade and economic integration, these roads continue to witness a high number of fatal crashes due to congestion, poor road conditions and insufficient capacity.
Officials have said urgent action is required, and that the planned upgrade of the Rironi–Mau Summit Highway is a vital step towards ensuring safer and more efficient travel for domestic and regional road users alike.
