7-9 pm was the most deadly and unsafe period to travel on Kenyan roads in 2023, a report by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has revealed.
According to the government agency's annual report, 1,100 fatalities were recorded during this window.
In the report, 7-8 pm was identified as the most deadly hour with 410 fatalities recorded within that period. The 8-9 pm interval was listed as the second most deadly hour with 359 Kenyans having perished during this window in 2023.
6-7 pm was ranked third with 331 fatalities followed by the 9-10 pm hour during which 270 Kenyans lost their lives to road accidents.
NTSA, in its report, pinpointed the 1-3 am window as the safest period to travel on Kenyan roads.
Compared to all hours within a day, the 1-2 am interval was listed as the least deadly, recording 94 deaths. Meanwhile, 101 fatalities were recorded between the 2-3 am window.
As reported by NTSA, 107 fatalities were reported to have occurred between 3 am and 4 am.
The report listed Nairobi, Kiambu, Nakuru, Machakos and Murang'a as the counties which recorded the most fatalities in 2023 with 450 Kenyans having perished in roads within these devolved units over the course of 2023.
Among the counties that registered the least fatalities were; Lamu, Isiolo, Tana River, Mandera and Wajir.
Wajir recorded 10 fatalities in 2023. This was the least among the 47 devolved units.
The report further highlighted the main causes of accidents last year. Vehicles losing control led in the list followed by lane indiscipline and overtaking improperly.
Misjudging speed and negligence were also among the leading factors.
NTSA's report indicates that 4,324 people died in road accidents in 2023. The most affected categories of persons were pedestrians and motorcyclists.
A total of 1,591 pedestrians lost their lives to road carnage while 1,133 motorcyclists lost their lives to road accidents.
