The Kenya Red Cross has revealed that 31 people have died and 75 others sustained serious injuries in 23 road accidents across the country during the first 13 days of August.
According to the agency, key factors contributing to these crashes include speeding, reckless overtaking, and driver fatigue. The organisation has called on motorists to drive cautiously to prevent further loss of life and injuries.
Calls for Reduced Speed Limits in Urban Areas
The Kenya Red Cross emphasized the need to lower speed limits in towns and cities, particularly around vulnerable zones such as schools, markets, and residential neighborhoods. It is advocating for a maximum speed of 30 km/h in these areas to better protect pedestrians and other vulnerable road users.
Recent Notable Accidents
- On August 13, a Toyota Sienta crashed on the Embu-Meru Highway near Kaura Mijii, leaving several passengers feared dead. The vehicle was en route from Nairobi to Meru when the driver lost control and veered off the road.
- On August 10, a multi-vehicle collision at Kijabe along the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway resulted in a mass casualty event, with rescue operations ongoing.
- Earlier in August, a 16-year-old driver in Parklands, Nairobi, lost control of his vehicle, causing the deaths of two pedestrians and seriously injuring a 10-year-old boy.
- Another crash near Marsabit-Segel Road involved a pickup truck hitting people repairing a broken-down vehicle, killing two and injuring three.
The Kenya Red Cross continues to urge all road users to exercise greater caution, reduce speed, and adhere to traffic regulations to curb the rising number of road accidents.
