•Some 292 pillion passengers died in the period under review as compared to 288 in 2023.
•Additionally, a staggering 16,979 individuals were affected by road traffic incidents during these first nine months after they were injured.
Some 3,369 fatalities have been reported from January to September 16 following road accidents.
This is according to the latest figures released by the National Police Service.
The statistics reveal that the highest number of fatalities were pedestrians, totalling 1,281. Motorcyclists followed with 825 deaths, while 654 passengers and 281 drivers died in these accidents.
Some 292 pillion passengers died in the period under review as compared to 288 in 2023. Additionally, a staggering 16,979 individuals were affected by road traffic incidents during these first nine months after they were injured.
Compared to the same period in 2023, when 3,151 people died in road accidents, this year’s figures represent a slight increase of 218.
The latest accident was in Kwale at the weekend where five pillion passengers died in a crash at one site.
In 2023, 1119 pedestrians were killed while 281 drivers died in separate accidents.
The figures show some 572 passengers died in 2023 in the period under review while 825 motorcyclists died at the same time.
Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli Tuesday expressed alarm over the upward trend in road traffic accidents.
He stressed the need for the public and other road users to adhere to traffic regulations to mitigate further loss of life.
“We have observed a distressing increase in road traffic accidents nationwide,” Masengeli said.
“To address this urgent issue, we have convened a consultative meeting with all Regional Traffic Enforcement Officers.”
He said corruption is one of the biggest contributors to the menace.
“We have many families suffering because of the accidents. We have to be serious to address this issue,” he said.
He said thousands of injured people are nursing wounds in hospitals and homes and need critical care which is expensive to get.
Masengeli’s remarks underscore the need for heightened road safety measures.
He called on the public to prioritize road safety and comply rigorously with traffic laws to help curb the rising number of fatalities.
In light of these developments, there is a renewed focus on improving road safety protocols to enforce traffic regulations effectively.
Public cooperation is essential in reversing the current trend and reducing the number of tragic accidents.
“If you are a pedestrian and you know the place you are crossing is illegal please don’t do it for your safety,” said the police boss.
The National Transport and Safety Authority says the leading causes of fatal crashes included hit-and-runs, tyre bursts, and vehicles and motorcycles losing control.
Also overtaking improperly and failing to keep the proper lane resulting in head-on collisions are mentioned as causes.
More than 4,000 people are killed annually in accidents.