Paul Karuga Njuguna Executive Director, Road Safety Awareness Initiative @RSAIKenya
Each month hundreds of Kenyans perish on our roads. According to NTSA there were 3,581 fatalities, from June 2024 to March 2025. Averaging 12 fatalities daily. A significant portion of these incidents happen on two-lane roads: extended intercity routes where vehicles traveling in opposing directions use the same lane of pavement.
Why two-way highways are dangerous
When two cars crash frontally at velocity the impact force is immense. Frequently comparable to one vehicle hitting a barrier at, over 110 km/h. The likelihood of surviving decreases.These streets also experience a combination of speedy and slow vehicles. Large trucks, buses, motorcycles and personal cars. All stopping, passing and joining traffic unexpectedly. This results in conflict zones.
NTSA’s fatality data repeatedly identify the offenders:Head-on collisions,Loss of control,Dangerous overtaking,Failure to keep near side
Why certain hallways are distinctive
The Northern Corridor linking Mombasa to Nairobi along with the segment from Nairobi to Malava continues to be some of the hazardous roads in the country. Extensive distances, travel times, substantial freight loads and numerous two-way sections contribute to the danger and severity of these routes. Local news outlets and safety assessments frequently place them at the positions on the list of national accident hotspots.
On the other hand the Nairobi–Thika highway leading to Marua provides an example of the potential benefits of improved road safety design. Features like carriageways, physical dividers, restricted access and enhanced lane discipline greatly diminish the risk of head-on collisions. Although the Marua segment is still under construction NTSA fatality statistics indicate fewer fatalities than those seen on older two-lane highways of comparable distance and traffic volume.
Reasons why dual carriageways reduce fatalities
- They prevent collisions, which are the most lethal type of accident.
- They enable passing minimizing rash maneuvers into opposing lanes.
- Regulated entry and adequate shoulders reduce turning, merging or halting.
- Traffic composed of vehicles moves more smoothly experiencing less interaction between slow trucks and speedy cars.
Insights, from NTSA data.The 2024/25 statistics highlight a reality: undivided roads continue to account for the majority of road fatalities, in Kenya.In comparison contemporary dual carriageways such as the Thika Superhighway show fatalities, per kilometre driven, emphasizing the benefit of traffic segregation.
What must occur next:
Phase in dual carriageways on the highest-risk corridors starting with Nairobi–Mombasa and Nairobi–Malava. On existing two-way highways, roll out median barriers, passing lanes, climbing lanes, strict speed enforcement, heavy-vehicle controls, stronger shoulders and better signage. Utilise NTSA data proactively: pinpoint segments with fatalities, per km and give them priority. Draw lessons from triumphs such as Salgaa, where average obstacles significantly lowered accidents.
The final word through a Safe System Approach lens.Every day fatalities occur on two-way streets where traffic, from opposite directions moves directly toward one another without any physical barrier. These deaths are avoidable. They result from a system design that fails to consider mistakes.A Safe System Approach acknowledges that individuals will err, get fatigued, miscalculate distances or respond belatedly. Consequently the road should be constructed to stop errors from resulting in deadly outcomes.This implies speeds, enhanced road safety, safer automobiles and improved post-accident measures. All functioning collectively.
Transforming two-way roads into dual carriageways with adequate separation isn’t about ease or luxury but about establishing a road setting that safeguards Kenyans even if an error occurs.
Policymakers, road agencies and civil society must champion road designs that forgive human error and put survivability first. When roads are engineered to be safe, people get to live.