By Milliam Murigi @millymur1
The media has been urged not to relent in highlighting road safety challenges despite frustrations over the slow pace of change, as stakeholders push for safer and more sustainable mobility in Kenya.
Speaking during a media roundtable meeting on safe and sustainable mobility, Dr. Andrew Kiplagat, Director, NTSA said that consistent reporting and public engagement remain critical in addressing the growing number of deaths involving pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycle riders on Kenyan roads.
“We must continue this discussion until things change because these are people somebody must speak for,” he said.
According to him, though the government agencies are implementing various interventions, thousands of Kenyans continue to lose their lives annually, with vulnerable road users carrying the heaviest burden.
Statistics shared during the forum showed that out of more than 5,000 people who died on Kenyan roads last year, about 33 per cent were pedestrians. Combined with cyclists and motorcycle riders, vulnerable road users accounted for a significant share of all fatalities.
“There are many people trying to cross roads as they go about their businesses, but the crossings are either missing or not properly designed,” he noted.
He emphasized the need for a “safe systems approach,” which recognizes that human beings make mistakes and therefore transport systems should be designed to minimize fatalities and serious injuries.
Apart from that, he also stressed that road safety cannot be left to the police or the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) alone, but requires collaboration among infrastructure agencies, policymakers, the media and the public.
“When something happens on the roads, many people immediately blame the police or NTSA. They have responsibility, yes, but they cannot solve this problem alone,” he said.
Speaking at the same event, Samburu West MP Hon. Naisula Lesuuda said that all these deaths are happening because Kenya’s transport systems have largely been designed for vehicles while ignoring the needs of ordinary citizens who walk or cycle daily.
According to her, discussions on mobility should go beyond infrastructure and transport metrics, arguing that the issue touches on dignity, public
health, economic opportunity, climate resilience and social equity.
She challenged engineers, policymakers and urban planners to rethink road construction models that prioritize highways and vehicles while neglecting sidewalks, cycling lanes and pedestrian safety.
“We have designed our cities for vehicles alone rather than for people. When mobility systems fail pedestrians, they fail society itself,” she stated.
According to the MP, infrastructure inequality mirrors societal inequality because those most vulnerable on the roads are often people with fewest transport alternatives.
She emphasized that a modern society should not be measured by the size of its highways or buildings, but by how safely and equitably vulnerable citizens can move through everyday life.
“This is why I have proposed a bill currently before parliament on non-motorised transport (NMT). The bill seeks to amend the Kenya Roads Act to prioritize walking and cycling infrastructure. The Bill has already passed its first reading,” she added.
The proposed law aims to establish a comprehensive national framework for non-motorised transport that can be adopted by counties and urban centres across the country.
The legislation will also require road agencies, government institutions and private sector players to work together on long-term transport solutions backed by research and dedicated NMT studies.
In addition, the Bill seeks to support Kenya’s climate change mitigation efforts by encouraging greener transport systems and incorporating tree planting alongside road construction projects.
“If we walk and cycle more, it is healthier for us and also reduces carbon emissions. But as we build roads, we must also protect our environment and restore trees that are being cut down,” she added.
The MP criticized the poor state of many pedestrian and cycling lanes across the country, saying some pathways abruptly end, are blocked by structures or remain incomplete despite existing directives. According to her, Kenyans have normalized walking and cycling lanes that literally disappear.
She warned that failure to prioritize inclusive road systems would leave future generations with cities characterized by congestion, pollution, danger and exclusion. She also called on all stakeholders to support policies that place people at the centre of urban planning and transport development.
“Let us design roads that protect life. Let us fully implement proper non-motorised transport systems and ensure Africa’s urban future is not only modern but also humane,” she said.
