NTSA Reveals 5 Counties With The Most Deadly Roads

The National Transport and Safety Authority has revealed counties with the most deadly roads.  

According to NTSA, Nairobi, Kiambu, Nakuru, Machakos, and Makueni are among the deadliest places to drive. 

NTSA's revelation comes as the World Health Organization projected that by 2030, road accidents would be the fifth biggest killer in the country.  

National Transport and Safety Authority deputy director Duncan Kibogong notes that an estimated 3,000 deaths from road crashes occur annually in Kenya, with 40% accounting for pedestrians.  

His figures contradict data from the World Health Organization, which puts road accidents deaths from 5000 to 15000 annually. 

However, like other African countries, Kenya is still having a challenge with under-reporting road accidents. Some data estimates that the actual figure might be four times higher than what is reported.  

He made the remarks during a virtual event to remember victims of road crashes. 

Kibogong noted that road accidents are the highest contributors to disabilities, health burden, and poverty through the loss of breadwinners. 

"The annual economic cost of road crashes is about three to five per cent of GDP or Sh350 billion," he said. 

In 2020, road accidents have claimed at least 3114 victims, with pedestrians accounting for the highest figure.  

Reckless driving, dangerous overtaking, drunk driving, drunk walking, drunk riding, failure to use helmets, among other issues, have been attributed to the increase in accidents. 

The event was part of World Remembrance Day. The objectives of the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims 2020 are to provide a platform for road traffic victims and their families to remember all people killed and seriously injured on the roads; acknowledge the crucial work of the emergency services.