By Kwabe Victor
Two weeks ago police data indicated that, in 2022, 60 people lost their lives in Nairobi as a result of road accidents.
National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) road safety status report reveals that the number of road accidents in Kenya has risen at an alarming rate, from 3,707 in 2020 to 4,347 in mid-December 2021, the highest in five years, representing a 17.3 per cent increase.
Launch of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety
Kenya has recorded an increase in the fatalities through traffic crashes, recording up to 1,816 fatalities as of 22nd May this year which is a 9.2% increase compared to a similar duration in early 2021.
As of the end of 2021, Kenya had recorded 4,579 fatalities resulting from road traffic crashes which left tens of thousands more with serious injuries.
The incessant increase has sparked a need for the launch of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety in Kenya, which comes while Kenya is finalizing the new National Road Safety Action Plan aims a reduction of deaths from crashes to less than half by 2030.
World Health Organization, Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Ministry of Health, and the government are hereby partnering to ensure the initiative is productive and ways of supporting the New Road Safety Plan is achieved.
According to Mrs Agnes Odhiambo, NTSA Board Chairperson, road traffic crashes are a pressing public health issue that needs to be resolved urgently since no deaths are acceptable on our roads. The work with WHO, Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative, and partners will aim at ensuring lives are saved.
From the records, globally road accidents end the lives of about 1.3 million persons annually with nine out of ten deaths occurring in middle-income countries. These numbers make road crashes the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged 5-29.
The staggering number is on arise with the males turning out the highest number of victims who succumb to fatal road crashes. WHO estimates tell of possible 13 million deaths by 2030and injuries sustained by up to 500 million people in the world in case measures aren’t put in place to deal with the situation.
Dr Abdourahmane Diallo, WHO representative urged on the essence of stepping up action against road crash deaths as it is a crisis. Road safety is vital to curb the tragic human toll witnessed. Therefore, the strengthening of laws, practices, and sensitization through partnerships like Bloomberg are key factors in saving lives.
Mr Wilson Njenga, Principal Secretary, Interior Ministry with Ms Kelly Larson, Bloomberg Philanthropies Director
With the launching of Bloomberg Philanthropies, there have been lives saved since 2007, by the support and implementation of road safety interventions in 45 cities and provinces. Bloomberg majorly advocated for stronger national road safety policies in 21 countries also ensuring improvement of vehicle safety standards.
Kelly Larson, Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety leader recommended the partnership with the Kenyan Government as of solemn importance toward achieving road safety which will save lives. Refers to this as a commitment to preventing the loss of lives that’s massive amongst all the road users with 2021fatalities by May 1663 and 2022 ranging at 1816.
The aim is to support proven road safety interventions to save lives. Noting that Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative has so far saved an estimated 312, 000 lives since2007 through tactical and technical support, currently beginning a new phase from 2020. That is assessing highly endangered road zones, redesigning them, or a set of measures to curb the danger.
Larson also insists on safer road use behavior, and safer and tougher policies to ensure the unnecessary loss of lives is catered for. Offer to provide training and advocates toward working with the national government and the county of Mombasa to in exemplifying the best approach to road safety.
Engagement of the public, in general, to assure pedestrians, drivers, cyclists, and passengers incapacity building and campaigns like don’t drink and drive as well as ensure safety belts, set up preventive measures in highly endangered zones.
Kenya is one of the 15 countries Bloomberg is supporting among others; Uganda, Ghana, and Ethiopia that’s in Africa, in Asia Bloomberg is working with Malaysia, Vietnam, India, Bangladesh finally in Latin America working with; Argentina, Ecuador, Mexico, Colombia,
Brazil.
