A report by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has highlighted a worrying danger on Kenyan roads, with pillion passenger deaths surging by a whopping 15 per cent in 2025. 

On Sunday, November 16, NTSA revealed harrowing accident data to mark World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, with fatalities across all road users rising by 2.9 per cent compared to 2024. 

If the data is anything to go by, Kenya recorded a total of 21,042 road crash victims, with 411 of the fatalities being pillion passengers who lost their lives between January 1 and November 13. 

Slight injuries from accidents increased by 11.4 per cent. One positive was that there was a slight decline in serious injuries from road accidents in 2025, as this figure dropped by 2.8 per cent compared to 2024, with 9,888 cases. 

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As was the case last year, pedestrians remain the most vulnerable road users, with 1,580 deaths recorded in 2025. This accounts for the highest number of fatalities this year. 

From the data, 376 driver fatalities were recorded, while other passengers suffered 681 deaths. Pedal cyclists saw 62 deaths, while 1085 motorcyclists lost their lives in 2025. 

Predictably, motorcyclist fatalities also recorded a sharp hike in October 2025 at 9.15 per cent compared to the whole of 2024, where less than 1,000 motorcyclists died on Kenyan roads (a total of 994). 

Nairobi County continues to lead in road crash fatalities, reporting 447 deaths between January 1 and October 31 2025. The capital is followed by Kiambu County with 387 cases and Nakuru with 318 fatalities. 

Machakos (173), Murang'a (148) and Kisumu (137) rounded off the top six counties with the most road fatalities in the country. 

NTSA Acting Director Angela Wanjira spoke on Sunday, where she acknowledged the human cost of the alarming statistics, as she reiterated the government's plan to slash road accidents by at least 50 per cent by 2030. 

“Each loss on our roads represents more than a statistic. Families and communities bear the trauma, grief, and financial hardships that come with every death or serious injury,” Wanjira said. 

To curb rising fatalities during the upcoming festive season, NTSA also announced an elaborate plan, which will mainly hinge on a close collaboration with the National Police Service to implement multi-agency prevention strategies.