The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) revealed plans to fund various road safety programmes in the country.
As detailed in the National Road Safety Action Plan 2024-2028, NTSA explained that it was eying funding from traffic fines and road projects.
NTSA elaborated that it would be pushing for amendments in the law that will give it the leeway to use money collected from traffic fines for safety programmes.
"As part of sustainable road safety funding programmes, administrative and legal amendments are required to establish a framework for traffic fines and penalties to support road safety programmes," read the plan in part.
On the other hand, the safety authority revealed that it would push for funding for future road projects to include levies for road safety programmes.
"The Kenya Roads Board, the Road Authorities and the Counties will ensure that each new road development and road improvement scheme contains a minimum of 10 per cent proportion funding dedicated to road safety.
"Equally, all development partners and financing institutions for road infrastructure allocate 10 per cent of all infrastructural costs to road safety. This funding should go into road safety both at national and county levels," NTSA proposed.
Through its road safety initiatives, the authority is aiming to reduce accidents and fatalities by 50 per cent.
Road safety has been a major concern for Kenyans and the government this year owing to the increase in accidents.
For instance, between January and April 2024, 1,553 Kenyans lost their lives in accidents with the majority of those affected being pedestrians.
On the other hand, various counties have been highlighted as high-risk owing to the accidents and fatalities recorded there.
Counties listed as high-risk include; Nairobi, Kiambu, Nakuru, Machakos, Kakamega, Kisumu, Makueni and Kericho.
"The current road safety situation is concerning, especially in the face of a rapidly growing vehicle fleet. Vulnerable road users—especially pedestrians and motorcyclists are the most at risk.
"That being the case, pedestrian and motorcyclist (and pillion) safety is a major and ongoing concern, and the road environment needs to be made much safer for them," NTSA added in the plan.
