How road accidents are depleting Kenya's economy

An accident scene along the Nakuru-Eldoret highway. NTSA statistics indicate that since the beginning of this year, the highest fatalities (774 deaths) were between the ages of 15 and 44 years. FILE PHOTO | CAROLINE CHEBET | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Statistics from NTSA indicate that since the beginning of this year, the highest fatalities (774 deaths) were between the ages of 15 and 44 years.
  • The NTSA numbers also show that 142 people between the ages of 35 and 39 years have died so far this year and another 128 in the 20-24 years category have perished.
  • The leading cause of road accidents among the productive segment of the population is speeding and drink-driving.
  • Nairobians have refused to use foot bridges, forcing NTSA to use traffic marshals to arrest those who disobey the law.

Road accidents are robbing the country of the most productive segment of the population.

Statistics from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) indicate that since the beginning of this year, the highest fatalities (774 deaths) were between the ages of 15 and 44 years.

This is in comparison to 183 deaths reported for those aged 45 years and above and 128 deaths among those from 0 to 14 years.

The data reveals that the 30-34 years age group recorded the highest number of fatalities at 192, and 164 people between the ages of 25 and 29 died.

The NTSA numbers also show that 142 people between the ages of 35 and 39 years have died so far this year and another 128 in the 20-24 years category have perished.

At the same time, 106 Kenyans between the ages of 40-44 lost their lives while 44 people between the ages of 15-19 also died in similar circumstances.

Among the 10 to 14-year-olds, mostly school children, 34 of them have been killed in road crashes.

The ages of 390 people who died in accidents are not known.

According to the NTSA Deputy Director and Head of Corporate Affairs and Communications Dominic Kabiru, the leading cause of road accidents among the productive segment of the population is speeding and drink-driving.

“The statistics tallies with the issue of speeding and drink-driving, which are the main causes of road accidents,” said Mr Kabiru.

The age groups are also the highest users of mobile phones and they use them while crossing the roads, especially in undesignated areas, leading to early deaths, added Mr Kabiru.

“The analysis reveals that it is the most productive people we are losing and moving forward, they will be our target in road campaigns,” said Mr Kabiru.

“We are also supporting the 30 kph speed limit near schools to prevent school children from being killed,” he told the Nation on phone Sunday.

The NTSA official said pedestrians are the most affected, adding that in Nairobi alone, 40 per cent of those killed in road accidents are pedestrians.

Nairobians have refused to use foot bridges, forcing NTSA to use traffic marshals to arrest those who disobey the law.

Mr Kabiru said the bridges are now clean and safe to use, adding that they had helped save many lives.

The government will also launch a nationwide audit of passenger service vehicles to determine which ones have tampered with their speed governors.

Last year, 2,907 lives were lost through road accidents, but the country had reason to celebrate as the number was lower compared to the previous year, which recorded 3,318 deaths.