The United Nations is urging countries, particularly those in the developing world, to implement targeted measures to reduce road traffic accidents, which continue to claim over a million lives globally each year. Kenya is among the countries severely affected, with at least 3,000 fatalities recorded annually, according to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).
Between January and March 2025 alone, 1,139 people lost their lives on Kenyan roads a slight decrease from 1,166 deaths during the same period in 2024. Pedestrians were the most affected group, accounting for 420 deaths, followed by motorcyclists (301), passengers (189), pillion passengers (130), drivers (83), and pedal cyclists (16).
The UN highlights the significant economic toll of road crashes, estimating that developing countries lose up to 3% of their GDP annually due to traffic-related incidents. To address this, the UN General Assembly launched the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030, aiming to halve global road deaths by 2030.
Etienne Krug, chair of the UN Road Safety Collaboration, emphasized the need to protect vulnerable road users. “Walking and cycling should be the most ordinary and, therefore, the safest modes of transport,” he stated. Yet, a staggering 90% of the world’s roads do not meet pedestrian safety standards, and only 0.2% have designated cycle lanes.
Kenya is beginning to address this gap. The Kenya Roads (Amendment) Bill 2024, currently before the National Assembly, seeks to standardize non-motorised transport lanes in all road construction projects. This initiative could significantly improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), road traffic injuries remain the leading cause of death for individuals aged 5–29 years, with 92% of global fatalities occurring in low- and middle-income countries. Risk factors include speeding, drunk driving, non-use of safety gear, distracted driving, unsafe infrastructure, and poor post-crash care.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, added that investing in safer walking and cycling not only saves lives but also promotes healthier, greener cities. “Every step and every ride helps cut congestion, air pollution and disease,” he said.
