Salama road crash: Why the buck stops with Ruto’s govt on road safety

The Salama road crash that claimed the lives of 17 Catholic pilgrims has once again placed Kenya's road safety system under intense scrutiny. The victims were en route from Mikindani Parish in Mombasa to the Subukia National Shrine when a multi-vehicle collision occurred at Salama along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway on Saturday, October 3, 2026. The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has dispatched investigators to determine the cause of the accident, including inspecting the vehicles and their compliance status.

While Kenya possesses road safety laws, including the Traffic Act, which governs speed limits, vehicle standards, inspections, and other requirements, NTSA's mandate to enforce these regulations is not sufficient on its own. Responsibility for road safety is shared among various government entities. Parliament is tasked with enacting laws and approving funding, while the Executive sets policy and allocates resources.

Roads agencies are responsible for constructing and maintaining highways, and NTSA oversees transport regulation. Police enforce traffic laws.

A National Road Safety Action Plan 2023-2028 has been devised to reduce crashes and fatalities. However, the critical question remains: do these systems function effectively before a tragedy occurs? Road safety enforcement should primarily aim to prevent dangerous behavior. A speed camera can be effective in slowing motorists before they reach a hazardous area, but if enforcement only deters drivers after they have violated the law, its public safety benefits diminish.

Kenyan law acknowledges the importance of clear information, requiring prescribed signs to inform motorists about lower speed limits in designated safety zones. Uniformed police officers may also employ speed cameras, while dangerous sections should be clearly marked, and drivers must receive regular updates on speed enforcement, black spots, and changing road conditions.

Vehicle inspections should identify hazardous vehicles before passengers board them, and enforcement should be consistent across all types of vehicles, including commercial trucks, matatus, private cars, and government vehicles. For laws to be most effective, citizens must understand them and observe predictable enforcement rather than seeing it as a game of cat-and-mouse.

Traffic departments require sufficient trained personnel, equipment, and technology to monitor major highways. Additionally, remuneration and working conditions, as well as robust internal controls against corruption, are essential to ensure enforcement effectiveness.

NTSA must also possess institutional independence to fulfill its statutory duties. Leadership should be appointed based on relevant technical, regulatory, and management competence. Decision-making regarding road safety should be guided by evidence rather than political considerations. Budget allocations for road maintenance, enforcement technology, inspections, emergency response, and public education are crucial.

The national government determines funding levels for these critical areas. The Salama investigation may uncover specific failures; however, Kenya's broader road safety challenge requires proactive measures before accidents occur. The ultimate goal of traffic law should be to prevent crashes from happening in the first place.