A total of 2,689 people lost their lives on the Kenyan roads between January 1 and September 30 this year, drastic rise compared to 2,655 in the same period last year. 

These are the grim statistics contained in Kenya’s latest accident report released by National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and the National Police Service on Friday.   

According to NTSA, the highest number of fatalities recorded was that of pedestrians with 971 of pedestrian lives lost followed by lives of 774 motorcyclists lost during that period in review. 

342 passengers, 301 pillion passengers, 233 drivers and 68 pedal cyclists also lost their lives during the nine months covered by the NTSA report on road carnage. 

The number of motorcyclists who died on the road went up from 534 in 2019 to 774 this year, same as pedal cyclists fatalities from 53 to 68 and pillion passengers 252 to 301. 

NTSA and the police have attributed the increasing road fatalities to speeding and drink driving by Kenyans motorists. 

NTSA and police say from October 2- 4 alone, Kenya lost the lives of 23 pedestrians, 16 motorcyclists, 9 pillion passengers, 7 passengers, 4 drivers and 1 pedal cyclist, all totaling 60.