By Paul Karuga Njuguna (Executive Director Road Safety Awareness Initiative @RSAIKenya)
The African Road Safety Charter, adopted in 2016 by Member States of the African Union (AU), represents a landmark commitment to address the urgent and growing crisis of road traffic deaths and injuries across the continent. Designed to serve as a comprehensive framework for road safety policy, the Charter outlines principles for coordinated action, accountability, and measurable outcomes in road safety governance. However, its full legal and operational effectiveness is contingent on ratification by at least 15 AU Member States. As of July 2023, only 12 countries have ratified the Charter, with Senegal being the most recent. This leaves a shortfall of just three ratifications to bring the Charter into full force.
Objectives of the African Road Safety Charter
The African Road Safety Charter sets forth the following core objectives:
- Promote Harmonization – Establish uniform road safety policies, legislation, and best practices across the continent.
- Encourage National and Regional Strategies – Support the formulation and implementation of evidence-based road safety action plans and national strategies.
- Foster Political Commitment – Secure political will and institutional support to prioritize road safety in national development agendas.
- Enhance Accountability and Monitoring – Introduce mechanisms for regular reporting, performance measurement, and accountability.
- Promote Capacity Building – Strengthen technical expertise, institutional frameworks, and cross-border cooperation.
- Mobilize Resources – Encourage allocation of adequate funding and investment for road safety programs and infrastructure.
These objectives align with the global Decade of Action for Road Safety (2021–2030) and the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Target 3.6, which aims to halve road traffic deaths and injuries.
The Imperative for Kenya to Ratify the Charter
Despite being a regional powerhouse and the economic hub of East Africa, Kenya has yet to ratify the African Road Safety Charter. This delay is concerning, given Kenya’s strategic importance and the high human and economic toll of road traffic crashes on its citizens. According to data from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), Kenya records thousands of road fatalities annually—many of which are preventable through stronger policies, enforcement, and regional collaboration.
As Horst Heimstadt of the Namibia Road Safety Forum notes, “Ratifying the Charter will fast track the implementation of strategies that will reduce road crashes on the continent.” For Kenya, this means access to regional support systems, technical guidance, and a unified platform to engage in multinational road safety initiatives.
Furthermore, as a transit gateway to landlocked nations like Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan, Kenya’s trunk roads are among the busiest in the region. The Nairobi-Mombasa, Nairobi-Nakuru-Eldoret, and Northern Corridor routes carry significant commercial and human traffic, increasing the risk of crashes. A coordinated and standardized approach to road safety is essential—not just for domestic policy alignment, but for safeguarding the lives of millions across borders.
The Role of the Cabinet Secretary for Transport
The ratification process requires executive action, particularly by the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, who holds the mandate to initiate and champion the process within government structures. This is not just a legal formality—it is a moral and developmental imperative. By endorsing the Charter, the Cabinet Secretary would signal Kenya’s commitment to reducing road traffic deaths, improving transport infrastructure safety, and asserting leadership in regional cooperation.
Benefits of Ratification
Ratifying the Charter would provide Kenya with:
- Access to a continent-wide framework for best practices and performance monitoring.
- Technical assistance and training for road safety professionals.
- Increased donor confidence and potential funding from development partners.
- A stronger position in AU transport policy formulation.
- Improved international image in road safety governance.
Conclusion
Kenya stands at a pivotal crossroads. With only three additional ratifications needed to bring the African Road Safety Charter into full effect, Kenya has both the opportunity and the responsibility to lead by example. As a regional hub with complex transport networks and significant road safety challenges, Kenya’s ratification would not only accelerate the Charter’s enforceability but also demonstrate a strong commitment to saving lives, enhancing mobility, and fostering sustainable development across Africa.
It is time for Kenya to rise to the occasion. Ratifying the African Road Safety Charter is not just a policy decision, it is a declaration of leadership, solidarity, and hope for a safer future on African roads.