In a major stride toward enhancing road safety enforcement in Mombasa, the Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP), in partnership with the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS), is set to donate advanced laser speed guns to the local police.
The cutting-edge devices, designed to accurately detect speeding vehicles, aim to curb road traffic violations and save lives on Kenyan roads.
Speaking during the Enforcement and Behavioral Change Media Training, Artur Zawadzki, Senior Road Policing Officer at GRSP, emphasized the importance of pairing technology with public awareness. “Enforcement alone can change behavior temporarily, but when combined with strong media engagement, it has a lasting impact,” he said.
The initiative forms part of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS), which GRSP is implementing in Kenya. The focus is on four critical risk factors: speeding, drunk driving, failure to wear seatbelts, and non-use of helmets.
“Speeding is the most recognized risk factor worldwide, and with limited enforcement tools here in Mombasa, we saw an urgent need to support local police,” Zawadzki noted. “These new laser guns are among the most sophisticated on the market. We believe they will significantly improve road safety enforcement in the county.” He added.
Zawadzki noted that to ensure effective deployment of the devices, a comprehensive training session for traffic police officers will be held on May 20 and 21. The training, conducted by the device manufacturer, will equip officers with the skills to operate the equipment efficiently and maximize its impact on the ground.
This strategic investment underscores the role of data-driven enforcement in reducing road injuries and fatalities. With proper use, the new technology is expected to help authorities clamp down on reckless driving and instill a stronger culture of road discipline across the region.
As Mombasa continues to grapple with rising traffic incidents, this partnership between GRSP and local authorities is being hailed as a timely and vital intervention for safer roads.
Kevin Ismael, Communications Coordinator at BIGRS, highlighted the role of journalists in shaping public understanding of road safety laws. “We’ve engaged media professionals to strengthen their capacity in reporting road safety issues effectively,” he said. “Our goal is to influence behavior and improve how the public perceives and responds to enforcement efforts.”
BIGRS has been working closely with the Mombasa County Government, the National Police Service, the Inspectorate, and NTSA to ensure enforcement is both effective and well-communicated. Recent campaigns have shown that while awareness is growing, knowledge gaps still exist around traffic laws such as speed limits and helmet use.
“Journalists must continue to educate the public on key risk factors like drunk driving, speeding, and failure to wear seatbelts or helmets,” Kevin emphasized. “Only through consistent public education can we create lasting behavioral change and save lives on our roads.” Ismael emphasized.
By Fatma Said and Chari Suche
