The government has revealed that it is in the process of expanding four major highways alongside the construction of up to 13 footbridges in the country.
The Ministry of Transport announced that the infrastructure upgrade was part of the government's long-term strategy to curb the prevalent road crashes.
This plan was highlighted in the National Road Safety Action Plan published on Tuesday, September 16, and which would be implemented within a 5-year timeline.
Besides the roads' expansion and the construction of footbridges, the Ministry also revealed looming changes in the Traffic Act, reforms that would affect how the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) deal with non-compliant motorists.
Construction of Highways & Footbridges
In the action plan, the Ministry outlined the expansion of key roads, including the dualling of Kwa Jomvu-Mariakani, capacity enhancement of Nyali-Mtwapa-Kilifi and upgrading of Kitale-Morpus along the Kenya-South Sudan Link Road.
The Ministry also announced plans to commence the expansion of the Rironi-Mau Summit road, which connects Nairobi to Nakuru. According to the Ministry, the expansion of the road is expected to significantly address the accident cases along the route.
"Existing roads have been placed under performance contracting maintenance to attend to routine maintenance needs, including road signage, high-visibility lane markings, safety fences," the Ministry of Transport said.
Additionally, the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) has commenced the construction of 13 footbridges with pedestrian fencing in the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) situated along Nairobi's Outer Ring Road.
According to the Ministry, it was also nearing the completion of the dualling of Ngata Bridge in Nakuru County, a previously hazardous section marred by loss of control and run-off collisions, especially by heavy goods vehicles.
"Realignment of the Bonje area, grade separation works at Gitaru-Rungiri, and reconfiguration of Coptic Roundabout along Kisumu-Kakamega highway are all ongoing," the government announced.
"Some of the completed sections include Kibarani/Makupa Causeway, widening and traffic separation along Salgaa - Sachangwan, gantry signs and enhanced non-standard signage at Kinungi-Ihindu-Karai section," it added.
Changes in Traffic Regulations & Vehicle Safety Standards
Likewise, the government also announced that it was in the process of implementing several changes to enforce traffic laws targeting high-risk behaviours.
The Ministry disclosed that over the past year, it had made progress, including the automation of speed enforcement. This involves the use of smart speed cameras to detect speed infractions and sanction violators through instant fines.
To enhance the competency of drivers, the government also announced the automation of driver testing to improve the quality of drivers who end up getting licensed.
Similarly, the government announced plans to implement the Schools Transport Regulations (2025) to govern the way school transport is operated.
The Ministry of Transport further revealed that NTSA would continue to undertake continuous regulatory enforcement targeting rogue drivers, transport saccos and speed limiters.
"Through this strategy, many public transport operators and drivers/conductors have been sanctioned through compliance orders, suspensions of Sacco operations, suspensions of driving licenses, among others," the Ministry stated.
"As a way of dealing with the challenge of driving under the influence of alcohol, another major risk behaviour, the Traffic (Drink Driving) Regulations, 2025, have also been developed," it added.
Additionally, to improve the safety standards of the vehicles imported into Kenya, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has implemented new regulations for used vehicle imports from major supply countries like Japan, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates.
