Kenya Kwanza will finally deal with road accident crisis - President Ruto says

Speaking during the launch of the National Road Safety Action Plan 2024-2028 at the Kenyatta International Conventional Centre (KICC), Ruto said that the soaring accident numbers ought to be reduced by half and should be effectively executed through collaboration among all relevant agencies.

"The target as was said by the chair is to cut down by 50%. I will be looking out for the 50%. Everything in between you have my support you have the support of this administration to do it but the people of Kenya and I will be focused on results," he said on Wednesday.

Citing a history of strife between the traffic department of the police and the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), Ruto noted that he expects camaraderie between the two entities to help scale down accident cases on Kenyan roads.

"I also expect greater participation by the public. Every road user, pedestrian, passenger, driver, private sector, our children must be conscious of the dangers that lurk behind road usage," he stated.

"It is my expectation that we will be the administration that will finally deal with his challenge."

The head of state further expressed his concerns over the number of deaths and injuries recorded from accidents, stating that it has eroded Kenyans' trust in using Kenyan roads.

"We have 20,000 people in hospital because of different kinds of accidents. We are using a colossal amount of money trying to treat them. Families are using breadwinners, fathers, mothers, and it is devastating," he said.

He further gave Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen an ultimatum of one year to have satisfactory results on reduction of accidents when the next meeting is held.

"I look forward to one year from now we will have another meeting and Kipchumba Murkomen you better come with results that the numbers are coming down otherwise you will be in alot of trouble."