The government has launched a road safety sensitisation campaign targeting children in Nanyuki Town, Laikipia County, as part of efforts to reduce road accidents during the Christmas festive period.
The campaign, spearheaded by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) in collaboration with the traffic department, seeks to instil basic road safety knowledge among school-going children, who are considered one of the most vulnerable groups on Kenyan roads.
Speaking during the exercise held in Nanyuki Town on Tuesday, Nanyuki Police Base Commander Kelvin Sauroki emphasised that road safety education remains a critical tool in preventing accidents, especially among children who often lack adequate awareness of traffic risks.
“We joined NTSA officials to educate school-going children on how to safely use the roads,” Mr Sauroki said. “If children understand basic safety rules and motorists respect traffic laws, we can significantly reduce accidents and the subsequent loss of lives or severe injuries.”
Mr Sauroki noted that a large number of children in Nanyuki rely on bicycles as a means of transport, exposing them to increased danger from fast-moving vehicles.
He urged parents and guardians to take responsibility by ensuring that young cyclists observe safety measures such as wearing reflective gear and obeying traffic rules.
The sensitisation initiative was supported by Binti Mwangaza, a local community-based organisation, and a British Army officer, who jointly distributed reflector jackets to youthful pedestrians and cyclists to improve their visibility on the roads.
Binti Mwangaza Director Ann Muriuki said the organisation had invested in high-quality reflector jackets designed to make learners more visible to motorists when schools reopen next year.
“Most accidents involving children happen in built-up urban areas where visibility is a challenge, especially early in the morning or in the evening,” Ms Muriuki said. “These reflector jackets will help drivers easily spot learners as they walk or cycle to school.”
She added that the initiative was part of a broader mission to promote a culture of shared responsibility on the roads, calling on motorists to slow down and remain alert, particularly during the festive season when traffic volumes increase.
“Christmas should be a time of joy, not mourning. We are urging drivers to be extra cautious so that children and other pedestrians can get home safely,” she said.
Ms Muriuki further noted that the campaign is long-term and will be rolled out in primary schools when learning institutions reopen next month, with the aim of ensuring the safety of learners who use busy roads daily.
British Army officer Robert Otwoma, who took part in the training, said the decision to focus on children was informed by the tragic loss of lives witnessed during previous festive seasons.
“Year after year, we see accidents that claim innocent lives, especially during Christmas,” Mr Otwoma said. “From next year, we plan to take this initiative directly to schools and distribute reflector jackets to learners.”
According to government statistics, pedestrians, cyclists and boda boda operators account for a significant proportion of fatal road accidents in the country. Between January and March this year, pedestrian deaths accounted for 420 fatalities out of 1,139 total road crash deaths.
Data from NTSA further indicate that road accidents have risen to 4,682 this year from 4,479 last year, prompting the formation of a national multi-agency team to address the worrying trend.
By Muturi Mwangi
