The National Transport Safety Authority (NTSA) has partnered with eight counties in the North Rift and Western Kenya regions to form coordination teams tasked with addressing the growing road safety challenges in the region. Among the counties involved is Uasin Gishu, which has joined other devolved units in forming County Transport and Safety Committees to spearhead this initiative.
The formation of these committees marks a strategic shift toward localizing road safety interventions and integrating safety measures into county-level planning and governance. The committees are expected to formulate and implement plans that will not only strengthen road safety legislation at the county level but also ensure accessibility and safe mobility for all road users.
This effort aligns with broader county development agendas, such as Uasin Gishu’s infrastructure plan aimed at upgrading and maintaining all road networks to all-weather standards. The initiative also seeks to devolve road maintenance to ward and sub-division levels to ensure effective oversight and immediate response to road-related issues, further ensuring user safety and improved transportation efficiency.
The urgency of these measures is underscored by the high number of road fatalities recorded last year, with 4,748 people losing their lives in crashes. A significant 73 percent of these fatalities involved vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, motorcyclists, and motorcycle passengers. This statistic highlights the need for targeted, localized strategies to reduce road accidents and prevent avoidable loss of life.
The training session conducted as part of the initiative included participants from Uasin Gishu, West Pokot, Vihiga, Nandi, Elgeyo Marakwet, Bungoma, Kakamega, and Busia. Participants were taken through strategies to establish critical road safety infrastructure such as footpaths separated from main carriageways, designed to enhance pedestrian safety and reduce the likelihood of collisions involving non-motorized road users.
Stakeholders have emphasized the importance of continuous public sensitization and capacity building, highlighting the need to empower communities with knowledge and tools to take ownership of road safety within their areas. County governments have also pledged support for the development of wider roads to accommodate increasing traffic volumes, particularly in urban centers experiencing rapid growth and congestion.
In Uasin Gishu, new traffic management measures are being introduced to improve safety and reduce congestion, especially in the City of Eldoret. One of the major changes includes the restriction of long-distance trucks from passing through the city center. These vehicles will instead be required to use the Southern by-pass, a 40-kilometre road that was completed over a year ago. The by-pass begins at Cheplaskei along the main Uganda highway, traverses Kapseret on the Eldoret-Kisumu road, and rejoins the Uganda highway at Leseru.
To ensure the successful enforcement of this and other measures, a multi-sectoral committee has been formed under the leadership of the county commissioner. The committee is tasked with coordinating various stakeholders to implement traffic control strategies effectively and maintain order on the roads.
The elevation of Eldoret to city status has further increased the urgency of establishing sound transport management systems. Although the city is yet to form a statutory city board as required by law, ongoing efforts by local authorities indicate strong momentum toward developing and enforcing regulations that promote road safety, reduce congestion, and support sustainable urban growth.
Implementation of the new traffic policies, including the lorry ban and by-pass redirection, is expected to take place within the coming weeks, signaling a decisive step forward in improving road conditions and safeguarding lives.
