The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) has released a list of counties with the deadliest roads in Kenya.

According to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2022 (KDHS) published on Monday, July 3, Murang’a is the most dangerous county to drive in, followed by Kisumu, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet and Vihiga to close the top five list.

The report which specifically highlighted the road traffic-related fatalities per 100,000 population, indicates that 1,466 individuals per 100,000 population sustained severe injuries due to road accidents in the 12 months ending December 31, 2022.

In addition, about 1,601 individuals per 100,000 population sustained serious injuries and died. KNBS notes that most (190) of these road accident deaths were reported in urban areas, while rural areas reported only 107 cases per 100,000 population.

Murang’a led with 365, followed by Kisumu (307), West Pokot (264), Elgeyo Marakwet (261), and Vihiga (247). Nairobi took the sixth position with 238 fatalities, followed by Kiambu (227), Laikipia (212), Homa Bay (208), and Isiolo (201).

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The National Transport and Safety Authority’s (NTSA) latest data show that at least 21,760 people were involved in road accidents last year.

This is an increase from the 20,625 recorded in 2021. NTSA said 4,690 people died, up from 4,579 deaths in 2021. The rest were left mostly with life-changing injuries.  At least 9,933 people were seriously injured, while 7,137 were slightly injured.

Pedestrians were the most affected, with 1,682 fatality cases, followed by Bodaboda operators at 1,255 and passengers and drivers at 824 and 426, respectively.

According to NTSA, the leading causes of fatal crashes in 2022 were hit-and-runs, tire bursts, and vehicles and motorcycles losing control.

Others were improperly overtaking and failing to keep the proper lane resulting in head-on collisions. Motor vehicles and motorcycles also failed to keep proper distance leading to ramming into the rear end of other vehicles and motorcycles.

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Also, issues of stalled vehicles being on the road without proper lighting or warning signs and pedestrians crossing the road without due led to the loss of lives in 2022.

The government, through the Ministry of Transport, has initiated measures to curb the rising cases of road accidents in the country.

Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen directed that all PSV and commercial vehicle drivers be subjected to a mandatory driving retest before the renewal of their driving licenses, an order that effected June 1, 2023.

Further, from July 1, 2023, all PSV drivers will have to undergo a mandatory medical fitness test before renewal of their driving licenses.

The CS further wants all the 57 licensed speed limit vendors to install approved gadgets that will limit speed, record speed data after every five seconds, transmit data to both the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and the vendor servers, and report violations in real time.