Kenyan road users face their greatest danger toward the end of the week, with new data from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) showing that Friday through Sunday recorded more than half of all crashes reported in July 2026.
The figures place the weekend at the centre of the country’s road safety concerns, with the Authority also warning that evening travel carries a higher risk.
Between 7 pm and 9 pm, crashes resulted in a high number of deaths, while the period between 8 pm and 9 pm recorded 37 fatalities, making it the deadliest hour of the month.
“Weekend travel remains a significant road safety challenge requiring enhanced enforcement and public education campaigns,” the Authority noted.
The findings are contained in NTSA’s July 2026 Road Safety Status Report, which also shows that the overall number of people affected by road crashes increased compared with the same period last year.
Road traffic victims rose from 1,974 in July 2025 to 2,167 in July 2026, translating to a 9.78 per cent increase.
The number of people killed rose by 11.36 per cent, from 396 to 441, while serious injuries increased from 958 to 1,006.
Those who suffered slight injuries also went up during the period, rising from 620 in July 2025 to 720 in July 2026.
“These trends point to the need for sustained, evidence-based road safety interventions focusing on pedestrian protection, motorcycle safety, commercial vehicle safety and speed management,” NTSA proposed.
According to the Authority, loss of control, speeding and hit-and-run incidents featured among the main causes of crashes recorded during the month.
NTSA said the figures showed the need for stronger action on speed, improved conduct among drivers and closer monitoring of motorists involved in risky driving.
Motorcycles and commercial vehicles were also singled out as vehicle categories commonly linked to fatal crashes.
The Authority said more inspections, training for drivers and riders and tougher enforcement would be needed to address the risks associated with the two categories.
Passengers experienced the biggest jump in deaths among the road-user groups highlighted in the report.
Passenger fatalities rose from 47 in July 2025 to 87 in July 2026, marking an 85.11 per cent increase.
Deaths involving motorcyclists also went up, with fatalities rising from 91 to 110, an increase of 20.88 per cent.
Driver deaths increased from 37 to 46, representing a 24.32 per cent rise.
Pedestrian deaths, however, moved in the opposite direction despite the wider increase in road fatalities.
The number of pedestrians killed fell from 178 in July 2025 to 146 in July 2026, a decline of 17.98 per cent.
NTSA linked part of the reduction to enforcement efforts focused on pedestrians operating around footbridges.
At county level, Kiambu, Nairobi and Nakuru had the highest number of road deaths during the month.
“The high fatality burden in these counties is likely attributable to higher traffic volumes, rapid urbanisation, extensive highway networks, and increased interaction between motorised and vulnerable road users,” NTSA disclosed.
The Authority said it had worked with the National Police Service (NPS) in joint enforcement exercises as part of efforts to reduce road crashes.
NTSA also conducted public awareness campaigns targeting boda boda riders and public service vehicle operators, with the measures aimed at addressing risky behaviour and improving safety on the roads.