By Joyce Chimbi
Nairobi, Kenya: It was a tragedy of unimaginable proportions when 12 people en route to Nairobi lost their lives in the Nithi bridge road crash, in the eastern part of Kenya on August 31, 2024. Yet this was one of an estimated 27 road crashes within a 30-day period spanning from August 1, 2024, that left nearly 79 people dead and 182 injured according to government reports.
Earlier, government records showed that in the period between January 1 to April 1, 2024, an estimated 1,189 people lost their lives in road crashes, and that this was a 60 percent increase in road crashes, compared to the same period in 2023, when 1,129 people died in road crashes.
“We are experiencing a surge in road traffic crashes and this is extremely concerning. In 2022, road traffic crashes were already a top five cause of death for Kenyans aged 5 and 70 years, and the leading killer of young boys aged 15 to 19 years. Moving forward, at least 4,000 Kenyans are killed in road crashes every year. This is unacceptable. This is a serious public health issue,” says Evans Marandu, a Nairobi-based educator and independent researcher in road traffic safety.
Signaling that all is not well, the Status Report in Road Safety 2023, released by the World Health Organization (WHO) in July 2024 revealed that road traffic deaths had risen in the African region, but had gone down globally. Nearly 250, 000 lives were lost on the African continent’s roads in 2021 alone. Conversely, global rates fell by 5 percent during the same period.
According to the WHO report for the African region, the region accounts for nearly one-fifth of all road deaths globally, despite being home to only 15 percent of the world’s population, and 3 percent of its vehicles. Further attributing the rise to multiple factors, including inadequate road safety laws and standards.
Overall, males aged between 15 and 64 years are the main victims of road traffic crashes. UN statistics show Africa has the youngest population in the world, with 70 percent of sub-Saharan Africa being under the age of 30. Experts such as Marandu say the continent’s future is increasingly on the line, that the situation is extremely dire, and that fast-acting solutions are needed.
While few countries have made progress in establishing transport systems that cater to alternate modes of transport, such as bicycles, motorcycles, or pedestrians, as well as efficient public transport – the report found that no country in the region currently has laws that meet the best practice standards for the five key road safety behavioral risk factors – speeding, drink driving, non-use of motorcycle helmets, seatbelts and child restraints.
On average in Africa, 19.4 people out of every 100,000 die in road crashes. In Kenya, there are 28 people in every 100,000 people. Kenya’s Ministry of Health says that the high numbers of road traffic crashes are exerting significant pressure on the healthcare system. The estimated annual health costs attributable to road traffic injuries spending is Kes 46.1 billion ($357 million).
According to WHO, vulnerable road users such as motorcyclists, cyclists, and pedestrians are worst affected, with road-related deaths of motorcyclists doubling in the past 10 years. Africa is one of the fastest-growing markets for used vehicles. Since 2013, the total vehicle registration has almost doubled, while two- and three-wheel vehicle registration has tripled. Only 13 countries have national strategies to promote walking and cycling.
“The findings of this report point to a serious public health concern for African countries, with hundreds of thousands of lives being lost unnecessarily. As WHO, we’re committed to working hand in hand with countries to tackle this preventable threat and continue to fully support all efforts to make our roads safer for motorists and pedestrians alike,” said Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa during the launch of the report in Nairobi.
Africa is the most affected by road crashes, with a traffic fatality rate of 19.5 deaths per 100,000 people compared to 16 deaths per 100,000 in Southeast Asia, and 6.5 deaths per 100,000 in Europe. In September 2021, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming the Second Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030, with the ambitious target of preventing at least 50 percent of road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030.
Road safety targets are integral to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda. SDG 3.6 aims to halve road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030, while SDG 11.2 focuses on providing access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems and improving road safety for all.
WHO is working with countries to strengthen the key road safety pillars, through advocacy, technical support, awareness-raising, and training. In April 2024, the Ministry of Roads and Transport through the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) officially launched the National Road Safety Action Plan 2024-2028. NTSA aims at achieving a 50 percent reduction in road traffic fatalities.
The initiative aims to curtail the alarming rate of road crashes, which not only shatter families and devastate communities but also pose a significant economic burden on the nation. Government estimates show that road carnage costs Kenya’s economy a staggering Kes 450 billion ($3.5 billion) annually and that the brunt of this burden falls disproportionately on trauma victims and their families, while hospitals and emergency services also bear the strain.
As such, the National Road Safety Action Plan encompasses a comprehensive set of strategies to enhance road safety for all users. Key initiatives include improvements to road infrastructure, vehicle safety standards, stricter enforcement measures, heightened public awareness campaigns, post-crash care services, promotion of safe driving practices road safety database, and monitoring and evaluation systems. The plan marks a departure from past approaches by integrating road design and safety as integral components.
