Kenya lost 2,585 people to road accidents between January and November 1 this year, the National Transport and Safety Authority statistics show.
This was an increase from 2,331 in the same period last year.
Out of this, 971 pedestrians were killed, 256 drivers, 633 passengers, 209 pillion passengers, 44 pedal cyclists and 472 motorcyclists.
According to the data, 8,272 people were also injured. This was a rise from last year in which 6,789 people were injured.
NTSA Director General Francis Meja said during a workshop that Nairobi leads in accidents followed by Kiambu and Nakuru. He said speeding and drunk driving are the main causes of accidents.
Meja said 92 per cent of these accidents are caused by human error, with mechanical problems accounting for five per cent while environmental issues are to blame for three per cent of the time.
The government has laid strict rules to curb accidents.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has said passengers who board matatus that are full will be arrested from Monday.
He said owners of PSVs that get involved in accidents will also be arrested. They will be prosecuted together with their drivers, insurers and body builders — if the body of the car is found to be substandard.
These are some of the tough new rules that will take effect from Monday across the country as the government moves to restore order in the chaotic public transport sector ruled by cartels and rogue operators.