By Lucy Kamau-Odote
On Friday, July 4th, 2025, AA Kenya will host the inaugural Road Safety Excellence Awards at the Pullman Nairobi Hotel in Upper Hill. The landmark event will bring together road safety advocates, government officials, private sector leaders, and grassroots champions to honour individuals and organisations making a real difference on Kenya’s roads.
In Kenya, where an average of 13 people lose their lives in road crashes every day, the Road Safety Excellence Awards aim to shine a light on those working to change that reality. This first-of-its-kind event goes beyond simply rewarding compliance as it also celebrates the courage, innovation, and real commitment shown by individuals and organisations striving to make our roads safer.
The process began earlier this year with an open call for nominations across a wide range of categories. Nominees were required to submit documented initiatives that demonstrated real, measurable impact, backed by evidence. Submissions were then vetted by a panel of independent judges drawn from the FIA, NTSA, and stakeholders from both the public and private sectors.
The awards feature a broad range of categories that reflect the diverse efforts shaping road safety in Kenya today. These include, Driver Safety & Wellness, Road Safety Champion, Policy and compliance, Road Safety Innovation, Community Engagement, Traffic Base Commander, Bodaboda Sacco, Matatu Sacco, Digital taxi operator and Motor Club of the year.
Additional categories include recognitions for Electric Vehicle Champions, Motor Vehicle Financiers, Primary Schools, Colleges, Driver Training Institutions, and Insurance Company of the Year.
Whether it’s a matatu SACCO enforcing strict driver vetting, a school teaching children how to cross the road, or a police officer using education as a tool of enforcement, every effort matters.
Across the country, there are champions making bold moves. A boda boda SACCO that holds regular safety briefings and insists on reflective jackets and helmets. A motor club that runs periodic safety workshops, not just weekend drives. A teacher weaving road safety into classroom lessons. A company investing in training for staff and customers alike, because awareness is the first step toward prevention.
These aren’t just programs. They’re a proof of what happens when people take responsibility, act with purpose, and commit to saving lives. Together, they’re building a safer Kenya, one action at a time.
Kenya’s road fatality numbers have continued to rise, reaching a record 4,748 deaths in 2024, according to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA). Globally, more than 1.19 million people die in road crashes each year, many of them young people, breadwinners, and schoolchildren.
Experts agree that most of these incidents are not accidents. They are preventable. Poor decision-making, limited enforcement, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of road safety education continue to cost lives.
The Road Safety Excellence Awards is about more than just trophies and recognition. It is meant to spark a nationwide conversation, one that moves beyond the numbers to focus on real solutions, and turns painful losses into meaningful change.