Pedestrians, motorcyclists and cyclists in Mombasa continue to bear the brunt of rising road fatalities, despite intensified campaigns aimed at reducing deaths and injuries.

Mombasa Road Safety Report 2024, released by the county government in collaboration with the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS), paints a grim picture of the growing dangers on the Port city’s roads.

According to the report, pedestrian deaths surged by 56 per cent—from 34 in 2022 to 53 in 2023.

The report, which draws on police records and observational studies, highlights that pedestrian deaths were primarily caused by collisions with cars, pickups, and SUVs (38 per cent), while 40 percent of motorcyclist deaths were linked to crashes involving the same vehicle categories. A notable 21 percent of motorcyclist deaths involved single-vehicle crashes. Hit-and-run incidents accounted for 15 percent of pedestrian deaths in 2023.

Reported fatalities

Overall, vulnerable road users—pedestrians, motorcyclists, and cyclists—comprised a staggering 93 per cent of reported fatalities last year.

 The total number of fatalities rose by 36 per cent from 69 in 2022 to 94 in 2023. Serious injuries also increased, climbing 17 per cent from 161 cases in 2022 to 188 in 2023. Men were disproportionately affected, accounting for 91 per cent of deaths and 76 percent of serious injuries.

Speaking during the launch of the report at English Point Marina, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir urged stakeholders to act decisively to curb these preventable deaths.

“Ensuring the safety of all road users is a shared responsibility. Our collective efforts must focus on reducing these tragedies. I hope the initiatives in Mombasa County will complement national efforts to save lives,” said Governor Nassir.

 The governor pointed out the importance of data-driven policies, noting the county’s road safety policy and proposals to ban structures near pedestrian walkways.

According to Nassir, “Plans are also underway to install smart CCTV cameras to monitor traffic offenses. As a county, we are deeply committed to safeguarding the lives of all road users by prioritizing data-driven policies and interventions. We are grateful to the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety and all our partners for their unwavering support in addressing this critical public health issue.”

Safety policies

 Transport Executive Daniel Manyala noted that previous reports have been instrumental in shaping the county’s road safety policies.

 “This report underscores the urgent need for stronger enforcement, public awareness campaigns, and targeted engineering solutions to address dangerous road corridors and intersections. Together, we can reverse these alarming trends,” said Manyala.

 Rebecca Bavinger of Bloomberg Philanthropies lauded Mombasa’s proactive approach to road safety but called for more concerted efforts to reduce fatalities.

 “We commend the county for establishing the County Transport and Safety Committee. Bloomberg Philanthropies remains committed to providing technical assistance, while BIGRS will continue supporting Mombasa County’s initiatives to enhance road safety,” said Bavinger.

 The report has identified five high-risk points in Mombasa County which have now been flagged as critical areas requiring targeted safety interventions.

Flagged locations

The flagged locations were identified as Hass Filling Station along Mombasa Road, Postal Corporation along Likoni-Ukunda Road, Loreto Convent Primary School along Nyerere Avenue, Palm City along Malindi Road, and AIPCA, Makande Cathedral along Mombasa Road.

In addition, five high-risk corridors were flagged, including Mombasa–Nairobi Road, Mombasa–Malindi Road, Port Reitz–Airport Road, Likoni–Ukunda Road and Makupa Causeway.

 “These areas consistently record high numbers of crashes and fatalities, underscoring the need for comprehensive safety measures,” the report stated.

 The data revealed a peak in crashes between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Fatalities were most frequently reported after crashes occurring between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. and during the evening hours between 6 p.m. and midnight.

 While there was no clear pattern in fatalities by day of the week, nearly half (47 percent) occurred over the weekend, particularly on Saturdays between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m., and Tuesdays between 8 p.m. and midnight.