The festive season comes with a lot of travelling as families gather during Christmas and New Year. It is also a time to celebrate and make merry. That is why Kenyans must be careful and ensure safety while on the highways. And it all boils down to individual responsibility.

That is why we are concerned about the loss of lives through accidents.

Only yesterday, seven people were killed in a grisly accident involving six vehicles and a motorcycle in the Maltauro area, near Duka Moja, in Narok East sub-county.

Police said the tyre of a truck heading in the Mai Mahiu direction from Narok burst near the Nairagie-Enkare escarpment and the driver lost control before it knocked several vehicles, including a Toyota Premio, a bus belonging to Ena and a Narok Line matatu.

Three passengers in the matatu died on the spot. This should worry the authorities monitoring public safety on our roads.

On Thursday last week, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said Kenya has recorded an increase in serious injuries due to road traffic accidents, which have risen by about 11 per cent since 2023.

There has, however, been a decrease in fatalities among drivers, passengers, pillion passengers, and motorcyclists by 5.85 per cent, 10 percent, nine percent, and 10.05 percent, respectively.

Mudavadi said that there will be increased police presence and patrols along major highways, both day and night, to monitor and enforce compliance with traffic laws.

It is hoped that enhanced patrols will discourage reckless driving, and speed violations, and to prevent unlicensed and overloaded PSVs from operating.

According to Mudavadi, unlicensed vehicles that fail to meet required standards for passenger safety will be barred from operations. Base commanders have also been tasked to ensure safety within their jurisdictions.

While the government announces safety measures during festive seasons, it is, however, unfortunate that police officers use patrols and roadblocks as a cash cow through bribery. Rogue transport operators give officers money in order to remain on the highway with unroadworthy vehicles.

It is one thing to declare safety measures and quite another to implement them. But, significantly, Kenyans must endeavour to behave responsibly to protect themselves and other road users.