400 people killed in motorcycle accidents since January

The PS in the ministry of transport Irungu Nyakera tries out a motorcycle during the launch of the rapid results initiative (RRI) programme on motorcycle regulations of 2015 held at Kihoto grounds in Naivasha. Close to 400 people have been killed in motorcycle accidents over the past eight months according to NTSA statistics. (PHOTO: COURTESY)

Close to 400 people have been killed in motorcycle accidents over the past eight months.

This emerged as statistics from the Ministry of Transport and the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) revealed that motorcycles are the leading cause of accidents.

Motorcycle riders contribute up to 20 per cent of all the deaths recorded in the country every year. This was revealed during the launch of the Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) programme on motorcycle regulations of 2015 at Kihoto grounds in Naivasha.

Transport PS Irungu Nyakera said the 338 lives lost since the year began would have been saved if the riders observed traffic rules.

"We would lose about 140 people in motorcycle accidents five years ago. However, I am concerned that the numbers have kept rising due to failure to observe road safety," the PS said.

Mr Nyakera said there is urgent need to address the situation. He said the ministry has gazetted new guidelines for licensing driving schools and has also developed a new curriculum for them.

"We are in the process of coming up with a digital driving licences where drivers committing traffic offences will lose points and later their licences withdrawn," he the PS.

NTSA Director General Francis Meja said the new motorcycle regulations banned ferrying of more than one passenger at ago. However, riders have appear to have defied the directive.

Mr Meja said those selling motorcycles are also required to supply two helmets and two reflectors.

NTSA Chairman Lee Kinyanjui praised traffic officers in Naivasha whose use of speed guns along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway has seen accidents there drop by 80 per cent.