The Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK) has introduced a new accountability drive aimed at reducing road accidents through direct sanctions and operational limits. According to AllAfrica, the association issued a statement on Tuesday outlining a strategy that extends beyond public criticism to include firm restrictions and possible bans for road users who fail to adhere to safety standards. The initiative targets a broad spectrum of traffic participants, including private car owners, commercial truck drivers, and motorcycle riders.
MAK stated that the campaign would recommend suspending specific dangerous practices, routes, or vehicle categories where legally permissible. The association urged drivers to mitigate common hazards such as speeding, dangerous overtaking, and distracted driving. It also encouraged passengers to document erratic driving and submit evidence through official channels, noting that such records could support investigations subject to due process. The association argued that because enforcement agencies cannot monitor every road at all times, self-regulation among road users is essential for preventing crashes.
The initiative is a response to a sharp rise in road fatalities documented by national authorities. AllAfrica reported that data from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) indicated that 3,995 individuals lost their lives on Kenyan roads between January 1 and October 4, 2026. This figure represents a 9.2 percent jump from the 3,657 deaths recorded in the same period in 2025. Pedestrians accounted for the largest share of these fatalities, with 1,490 deaths, followed by motorcyclists with 1,061, passengers with 662, and drivers with 352. Separately, the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics recorded 5,009 road deaths in 2025, a rise from 4,748 in 2024.
Recent incidents have heightened concerns over highway safety. AllAfrica noted a collision near Salama on October 3 that killed seventeen people, most of whom were Catholic pilgrims, and a crash at Kanga near Mtito Andei on October 25 that claimed twenty-four lives. These events renewed focus on the Nairobi-Mombasa highway, where mixed traffic shares narrow road sections. NTSA has identified over 270 accident-prone zones nationwide, including 199 along the Mombasa-Malaba Northern Corridor. MAK described the situation as a national calamity, calling for coordinated intervention from the government, the transport industry, and road users.