Some 4,047 Kenyans have died in road accidents so far this year, prompting stakeholders to call for more action to curb the carnage.

According to the government, the figure is worrying since it surpasses the United Nations (UN) threshold and that much efforts should be put in place to reduce it.

Road crashes fatalities have risen nine percent compared with the same period last year, said Paul King’ori, a director in the Ministry of Roads and Transport .

King’ori spoke at Whispers Park in Nyeri town when residents commemorated World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

Some 9,607 people were seriously injuries in the crashes and 5,764 suffered minor injuries, he added.

“Our message to Kenyans is that as we head towards the festive season, [drivers] should be observant on our roads so as to reduce road accidents. We need to reduce the number of road accidents by 50 percent,” he said.

“Drivers should consider that they are carrying souls and should guarantee them safely.”

The matatu sector is partnering with other stakeholders to reduce road accidents, said Matatu Owners Association Laikipia County branch chairman Mwaniki Wagichere.

“In partnership with the [National Transport and Safety Authority] and National Police Service, we have held several training programmes for our drivers on road safety,” he said.

– James Wanjiku

“We have partnered with the relevant stakeholders to ensure that road safety rules are adhered to accordingly.”

The NTSA is trying to make roads safer by strictly enforcing traffic laws and running public awareness campaigns about the dangers of reckless driving.