NTSA Calls for Road Accidents to Be Declared a National Disaster After Over 5,000 Annual Deaths

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has called on the government to declare road crashes a national disaster following a rise in deaths on Kenyan roads.

In a statement released on Sunday, October 25, 2026, the authority said the country records about 20,000 road crashes annually, resulting in more than 5,000 deaths. It warned that the growing number of accidents is destroying families, putting pressure on hospitals and hurting the economy.

The call comes after a deadly accident at Kanga, near Mtito Andei, along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway. A collision involving a church bus and a lorry left more than 20 people dead, with several others injured.

The incident has renewed concerns about road safety, especially on major highways where fatal accidents continue to claim lives.

NTSA Director General Nashon Kondiwa said declaring road crashes a national disaster would help the government mobilise resources and coordinate action among different agencies.

The authority wants road agencies, the National Police Service, the health sector and county governments to work together under clear responsibilities and measurable targets aimed at reducing deaths and serious injuries.

The proposed move would also help strengthen enforcement of traffic laws, improve emergency response and support public education on road safety.

NTSA stressed that road safety should not be treated as a transport issue alone, but as a national development and security priority that requires urgent attention.

The latest appeal comes as families mourn victims of the Mtito Andei crash, while survivors continue receiving medical attention.

The government has yet to announce whether it will formally declare road crashes a national disaster in response to NTSA’s request.

As the country mourns those lost in the latest tragedy, the authority is urging motorists to follow traffic rules and all road users to take safety seriously.

The key question now is whether the proposed declaration will lead to stronger action and help prevent similar tragedies on Kenya’s roads.

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