By Agnetta Okwemba
Pedestrian fatalities in Mombasa County have surpassed car user deaths, underscoring a worrying trend in road safety.
According to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), pedestrian deaths comprised the majority of road fatalities, rising from 1,044 in 2023 to 1,177 in 2024. Cyclists followed closely in the fatality count.
The NTSA's quarterly data revealed 4,047 road fatalities nationwide as of October 2024 – a slight decrease from 4,300 during the same period in 2023.
Speaking at the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims in Nyali, NTSA Coast Region Deputy Manager John Parteroi urged road users to respect each other and avoid overspeeding.
“Today, we honor lives lost on our roads and remind everyone of their role in ensuring safety,” Parteroi said.
Parteroi acknowledged that poor road infrastructure contributes significantly to accidents. To address this, NTSA, Mombasa County, and Bloomberg Philanthropies are planning projects to prioritize pedestrian safety by constructing dedicated walkways to separate pedestrians from vehicles.
Bloomberg Philanthropies, a partner in road safety initiatives, has been working on improving infrastructure, training traffic officers, and developing road safety policies.
Kevin Ismail, Bloomberg’s coordinator, announced a December mass media campaign to raise awareness about speeding.
“As it is now, most of our roads are designed for cars and not for pedestrians. We need to re-look at our road designs so that they can accommodate all road users since even those that are driving, are pedestrians at one point,” Ismail said.
Mombasa County, in collaboration with a Japanese organization, plans to roll out an Intelligent Transport System (ITS) in 21 locations. The ITS will manage traffic more efficiently and enhance safety for all road users.
“There are cameras being installed in Mombasa to identify those breaking the laws,” said Daniel Manyala, Mombasa County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Roads.
Additionally, the county is introducing modern traffic lights with features such as real-time traffic data collection and audible signals for visually impaired pedestrians.
Road safety advocates join hands to paint a pedestrian crossing near Nyali School in Mombasa, marking the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims 2024. (Photo: Agnetta Okwemba)
The event in Nyali included the painting of a pedestrian crossing near Nyali School, an area frequented by children. Organizers used the occasion to stress the importance of adhering to traffic rules, especially during the festive season when road accidents spike.
The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims is marked globally to honour those who have died in road crashes and to encourage communities to work together to reduce accidents.
Mombasa County promises stricter enforcement of road safety laws and urges drivers to avoid using unroadworthy vehicles.
Authorities are optimistic that the combination of awareness campaigns, policy changes, and technology will reduce fatalities.
