In a landmark event that celebrated and honoured ongoing efforts to make roads safer, AA Kenya hosted its inaugural Road Safety Excellence Awards, bringing together a diverse cross-section of stakeholders. The event, held in Nairobi, Kenya recognized individuals, organizations, and institutions that have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and commitment in promoting road safety across the country.
“Why these awards? Over the years, AA Kenya has collected extensive data on what’s happening on our roads. We realised that behind the numbers are stories of impact. Efforts worth recognising and learning from. This platform helps us celebrate progress, exchange ideas, and foster a stronger culture of safety.” Said Francis Theuri, Managing Director of AA Kenya.
The awards gala was attended by senior government officials, including Principal Secretary for Sports Elijah Mwangi, National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) Director General George Njao, Traffic Police Commandant, AA Kenya Governing Council members, and grassroots safety advocates from across the country.
The AA Road Safety Excellence Awards covered a diverse range of categories, highlighting the multifaceted nature of road safety in Kenya today. These included: Driver Safety & Wellness, Road Safety Champion of the year, Road Safety Innovation, Policy & Compliance, Insurance company of the year, Motor Financier, Community engagement & Motor Club of the year.
Other categories included EV Adoption Champion, Traffic Base Commander of the year, Matatu Sacco, Bodaboda Sacco, Learning Institutions and Digital Taxi Operator of the year.
The event was vibrant, with winners expressing pride in being recognised for their contributions to road safety. One of the highlights of the event was the Road Safety Corner, where attendees signed a pledge to become committed and responsible road users. The pledge board featured Ten Road Safety Commandments, each displaying key messages on safe road practices. This engaging activity sparked lively interactions, while also reinforcing the importance of embracing a strong road safety culture.
Those recognized at the award included Sikika Road Safety, Isuzu Drivers Academy, GA Insurance, BAT, Kenya Breweries, Bamburi Cement, TSI East Africa, Loxea, City E-Mobility Bodaboda Sacco, Kangaroo Sacco, Moja EV, Kenyan, SPIRO, Kichaka Patrol, Enabled Shuttle, Newlife travellers-Kiambu, Kenya Red Cross, Lions SightFirst and Royal Media Services.
Individuals honoured for their contributions to road safety included Engineer Mary Abungu, Kevin Mubadi of the Bodaboda Association of Kenya and Paul Karuga Njuguna of the Road Safety Awareness Initiative.
The Traffic Base Commanders from the National Police Service who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to road safety were specially feted for their efforts.These commanders were recognized for implementing effective enforcement strategies, engaging with the public on safe road use, and helping reduce traffic incidents in their jurisdictions. Those honoured were :Kennedy Njuguna, Erastus Maraka, Derrick M Nyaga, Solomon Wamai and Nyadzua Lwembe all of whom have gone above and beyond in championing safer roads for all.
“Road safety isn’t just about infrastructure or regulation. It’s about behaviour, culture, and the choices we make every day,” said Elijah Mwangi, Principal Secretary, State Department for Sports. “This event gives us a moment to reflect on our individual and collective responsibility to uphold safety on our roads.”
The awards reflect the core pillars of Kenya’s National Road Safety Action Plan and align with the objectives of the UN Decade for Action for Road Safety, which aims to significantly reduce road traffic deaths and injuries worldwide through better education, enforcement, infrastructure, and policy.
In his address, NTSA Director General George Njao announced plans to reintroduce alcohol testing (Alcoblow) and roll out more highway surveillance cameras to reduce dangerous driving and support enforcement.
“The majority of road crash victims in Kenya are between 18 and 35 years old. To reverse this trend, we must strengthen partnerships, improve education, and hold drivers accountable,” he said.
The AA Kenya Road Safety Excellence Awards mark a critical step forward in recognizing Kenya’s road safety champions and encouraging a collaborative, data-driven approach to saving lives.