Road Death Toll Hits 4,047 as Mudavadi Launches Crackdown on Unroadworthy PSVs

Acting Interior Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has launched a comprehensive nationwide initiative targeting unroadworthy Public Service Vehicles (PSVs).

The directive, issued on Friday, November 15, empowers the National Police Service (NPS) to conduct thorough inspections ensuring all PSVs meet required safety standards. The new mandate stipulates that PSVs must clearly display their registered Sacco, company, or institutional affiliations, while maintaining current inspection documentation and operating strictly within their designated routes. Mudavadi has explicitly instructed traffic police officers to enforce these regulations rigorously, emphasizing the paramount importance of vehicle roadworthiness and safe driving practices.

This enforcement action comes in the wake of a devastating collision on the Kisumu-Kakamega Highway that resulted in 13 fatalities. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday evening, November 13, involved two matatus and a trailer. The tragic sequence of events unfolded when a speeding trailer lost control, resulting in a catastrophic collision with oncoming matatus. Ten victims perished at the scene, while three others later succumbed to their injuries at Kakamega County Referral Hospital.

Expressing his condolences, Mudavadi shared his grief with the bereaved families, specifically acknowledging the profound loss at Iguhu Bridge. He extended particular concern for the safety of students currently undertaking their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations, while emphasizing the need for heightened vigilance among all road users. The gravity of the situation is underscored by alarming statistics showing a significant increase in road-related fatalities.

Between January and November, road accidents claimed 4,047 lives, marking a notable rise from the previous year’s toll of 3,726 during the same period. The total number of accidents has also escalated from 19,262 to 20,369, with motorcyclists, pillion passengers, and pedestrians particularly vulnerable. Authorities aim to create a more secure transportation environment for all road users through stringent compliance checks and enhanced safety protocols.