President William Ruto has sent warm Christmas greetings to Kenyans, urging them to celebrate safely and look forward to a fruitful new year. In his message, the President also called on road users to exercise care as holiday travel reaches its peak.
In a statement on Wednesday, Ruto reflected on the year gone by and thanked citizens for their resilience through 2025. “Wakenya, 2025, we clocked it. I wish you a Merry Christmas, a great and blessed 2026," he said.
The President used the occasion to stress the importance of road safety, a concern during the festive season when millions travel to visit family and holiday destinations. He urged drivers to avoid risky behavior that could lead to accidents. “Na Kule barabarani, let’s drive carefully, avoid unnecessary losses," he said.
Ruto’s message coincides with heightened road safety campaigns by authorities aimed at reducing the number of holiday accidents, which traditionally rise during Christmas and New Year. He concluded his message with gratitude and a call for unity among Kenyans. "Otherwise asanteni Sana Mungu awabariki nawapenda jameni," he said.
Across the country, Kenyans are marking the holiday with travel, family gatherings, and religious observances. The festive period sees a surge in traffic, prompting authorities to emphasize compliance with safety regulations. Public service vehicles are under close monitoring, and passengers are encouraged to report reckless driving.
On Tuesday, Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir echoed the call for caution, urging all road users to prioritize safety. “I want to encourage the drivers, the operators, the passengers who will be traveling in privately owned vehicles or in public vehicles to really ensure that we drive safely, we be cautious on our roads and we preserve lives by not driving carelessly as we travel during this festive period,” he said.
Chirchir reminded motorists to ensure their vehicles are in good condition and to follow traffic rules. “Safety starts with me as we drive. Is the vehicle in good condition? Can we observe the traffic rules that we also cooperate with the enforcers once they basically help us because they are there to help us to enforce and to ensure safety,” he added.
He further encouraged Kenyans to report any hazards or traffic concerns to the National Police Service and the National Transport and Safety Authority, noting that road safety is a shared responsibility. Enforcement centers have also been set up across police stations nationwide to support safe travel and reduce accidents during the festive season.
CS Chirchir concluded his message by extending his festive greetings to all Kenyans, complementing the President’s call for safety, unity, and joy during the holiday period.
