The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has issued a festive season travel advisory as traffic volumes surge across national highways with the onset of Christmas and New Year travel.

In a public notice dated December 21, 2025, the Authority said traffic has increased significantly on all roads as Kenyans travel to reunite with family and friends during the holiday period.

KeNHA reminded motorists and all road users that road safety is a shared responsibility, urging them to exercise patience, courtesy, and caution.

The Authority noted that the festive season is traditionally associated with higher traffic flows, increasing the risk of congestion and road accidents if safety guidelines are not observed.

“The festive season is here. Traffic has started to soar significantly on all roads, including highways. The Authority wishes to remind all road users that road safety is a shared responsibility. All road users, therefore, should exercise patience, courtesy and caution while on the road,” read the public notice in part.

Travel guidelines

To facilitate smoother and safer travel, KeNHA advised road users to plan their journeys in advance and allow adequate travel time while strictly adhering to traffic rules and regulations.

Motorists were encouraged to take advantage of alternative routes whenever available to reduce congestion on major highways.

The Authority urged drivers to observe posted speed limits and avoid speeding, warning that excessive speed remains a leading cause of road crashes during peak travel periods. Motorists were also reminded to obey traffic signs, maintain lane discipline, avoid overlapping, and refrain from reckless overtaking.

Public Service Vehicle operators and drivers were cautioned to adhere to approved passenger capacity limits and observe designated pick-up and drop-off points. Truck drivers were similarly directed to park only in designated areas to minimise obstruction and enhance safety along highways.

KeNHA further emphasised the importance of driver fitness, urging motorists to ensure they are well-rested before embarking on long journeys and to remain sober and fit to drive at all times.

Broader road safety measures

The Authority assured the public of its continued commitment to ensuring a safe, smooth, and secure holiday travel experience for all road users. It stressed the importance of every traveller reaching their destination safely to allow families to reunite during the festive season.

The notice comes amid intensified road safety measures nationwide. The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has reported more than 4,000 road fatalities so far in 2025, with December historically recording heightened risks due to increased travel volumes.

In response, NTSA, working with the National Police Service, has rolled out a two-month festive season road safety campaign involving random breathalyser tests, vehicle inspections, and deployment of multi-agency teams along major highways.

KeNHA said the advisory aligns with broader government efforts to reduce road carnage and ensure holiday travel remains safe and incident-free.