NAIROBI,Kenya (Prime Africa News) – Road accidents continue to claim thousands of lives across Africa during the month of December, reinforcing a deepening road safety crisis on the continent.
According to global and regional road safety analyses, Africa accounts for nearly 20 per cent of all road traffic deaths worldwide, despite having a relatively small share of the world’s registered vehicles. The continent also records the highest rate of road traffic fatalities per 100,000 people, estimated at 19.6, almost double the global average.
December remains one of the deadliest months on African roads due to increased travel during the festive season, driver fatigue, speeding, drunk driving and weak enforcement of traffic laws.
Kenya mirrors the broader African trend, with road fatalities rising sharply in 2025. Official records and government statements indicate that more than 4,400 people have died in road traffic crashes this year, surpassing last year’s figures even before the end of December.
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) attributes most fatal accidents to overspeeding, reckless overtaking, drunk driving, driver fatigue and failure to observe traffic rules, particularly among public service vehicles.
In response, NTSA—working alongside the National Police Service and the Judiciary—has intensified festive season operations, including vehicle inspections, stricter enforcement and the deployment of mobile courts to curb reckless behaviour on the roads.
Nyamira County has emerged as one of the hardest-hit areas in recent weeks. On Sunday evening, 12 people were killed in a tragic crash at Chabera along the Kisii–Kisumu highway, barely a day after another deadly accident in the same county.
Police reports indicate that the victims were travelling from Kakamega County, where they had attended a family wedding. Of the deceased, nine were residents of Rangenyo in Nyamaiya Ward, West Mugirango Constituency, with four belonging to the same family.
The tragedy followed another accident along the Tombe–Bw’arani road, between Ikonge and Ekerenyo towns, where eight people lost their lives less than 24 hours earlier.
West Mugirango Member of Parliament Hon. Stephen M. Mogaka described the incidents as devastating to both the local community and the nation.
“My heart is bleeding again in less than 24 hours after a fatal accident occurred at Chabera area along the Kisii–Kisumu road resulting in the loss of 12 lives,” the MP said in a condolence message issued on December 15, 2025.
He noted that nine of the victims were from his constituency, adding that the tragedy had cast “a heavy cloud of sorrow over our entire community and the country at large.”
Hon. Mogaka conveyed his condolences in his personal capacity, on behalf of his family, the people of West Mugirango and as a Member of Parliament, while wishing those injured a quick recovery.
“The loss of so many loved ones all at once is a pain one cannot imagine, and I mourn with you during this most difficult moment,” he said.
Residents and local leaders have called for immediate intervention on accident-prone roads, particularly the Tombe–Bw’arani and Chabera stretches, citing persistent speeding and poor road discipline as major contributors to the fatalities.
As families struggle to cope with the sudden loss of loved ones, the back-to-back accidents have reignited concerns over road safety, accountability and the urgent need for preventive measures during the festive season.
Road safety experts warn that without stronger enforcement, sustained investment in safer road infrastructure and behavioural change among road users, December will continue to exact a heavy toll on African and Kenyan roads.
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