By Ongaga Ongaga
The joy of Christmas holidays has been tempered by a grim reminder of the risks on the country’s roads, including deaths.
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) says fatal road crashes have been reported in at least 13 counties, including Nairobi, Kakamega, Nakuru, Kisii and Machakos, with yesterday proving particularly deadly.
NTSA said in a statement that 16 crashes had claimed 25 lives, most of them pedestrians and passengers.
Behind the statistics are families facing an empty chair at the Christmas table.
NTSA said pedestrians and passengers were the most affected, followed by motorcyclists and pillion riders, underscoring the vulnerability of those with the least protection on the road.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families and wish a speedy recovery to those injured,” the authority said on Wednesday.
NTSA says it has intensified enforcement across the country, deploying multi-agency teams to carry out compliance checks on highways and in towns.
Over the past four days alone, officers flagged 1,702 violations involving public service vehicles, commercial transport and private cars.
The most common offences included faulty or missing speed limiters, drunk driving, unroadworthy vehicles and carrying excess passengers.
Some drivers were also found operating without valid insurance or a Road Service Licence.
As a result, 42 drivers were arrested and 418 vehicles declared non-compliant.
“As the nation celebrates the festive season, we reaffirm that road safety remains our top priority,” NTSA said, adding that all available resources have been mobilised to protect lives.
Road safety advocates say the festive rush, combined with alcohol use and fatigue, often creates a dangerous mix.
NTSA has urged all road users — drivers, passengers, motorcyclists, pedestrians and cyclists — to take personal responsibility by obeying traffic rules and staying alert.