Naivasha – The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has announced plans to install surveillance speed cameras on major highways as part of a strategy to reduce road accidents by 20 percent. This initiative, as revealed by KeNHA, involves procuring enforcement cameras which will be erected on key roads and highways starting next year to monitor and curb excessive speeding.
According to Kenya News Agency, there have been 3,609 deaths due to road accidents as of October this year, a slight decrease from the 3,936 deaths recorded during the same period last year. NTSA Director General George Njau noted that Nairobi, Kiambu, Mombasa, and Nakuru counties have experienced a high number of road accidents this year, largely due to drunk driving and excessive speeding.
Speaking in Naivasha during the World Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims, KeNHA’s Director for Design and Safety, Eng. Ezekiel Fukwo, stated that the installation of speed cameras is aimed at ensuring motorists adhere to traffic rules and speed limits. Fukwo highlighted that the initiative is expected to reduce road accidents significantly by addressing the issue of excessive speeding, a major contributor to fatalities on the road.
Additionally, the government plans to implement a five-year road blackspot strategic plan. This plan includes various interventions like road redesigning, erection of speed bumps, and installing signage to mitigate fatal road accidents on major highways.
Njau specifically pointed out the Nairobi-Nakuru highway, where 173 fatalities have occurred this year. Areas like Mai Mahiu and Gilgil have seen particularly high cases of road fatalities. Notable accidents on this highway include a tragic incident in March, where a collision involving a bus and a matatu near Naivasha resulted in the deaths of 17 people, including Pwani University students. Further fatalities occurred later at the Delamere junction, emphasizing the need for highway improvements like adding extra lanes.
Njau urged for enhanced collaboration between state and non-state actors to address road carnage and called on motorists to be cautious, especially during the festive season and the current heavy rains, which make roads more dangerous.
To complement these efforts, NTSA plans to launch a national campaign to raise awareness among Kenyans and motorists about safe driving, traffic rules, and regulations during this year’s festive season.
Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara emphasized the need for an audit of driving schools in the country to ensure quality training for drivers. She also expressed concern over increased drunk driving, particularly among young drivers, and called on government agencies to take stringent actions against this menace.