Kilifi Residents Protest Delayed Construction of Kilifi–Malindi Highway After Rise in Fatal Accidents
Residents of Kilifi County took to the streets this week to protest the delayed construction of the Kilifi–Malindi highway, citing a worrying increase in road accidents along the busy corridor. Demonstrators, including boda boda operators, traders, and local community leaders, marched peacefully to the Kilifi County Commissioner’s office demanding immediate government action to fast-track the long-stalled project. They argued that the pothole-ridden highway has become a death trap, with frequent accidents leaving families devastated and businesses disrupted.
According to residents, the road—one of the most important links between Kilifi and Malindi—has deteriorated significantly over the past two years. Sections of the stretch are marked by deep potholes, poor drainage, and faded road markings, making it nearly impossible for motorists to navigate safely. Locals say that despite repeated public appeals and earlier government assurances, the contractor has yet to fully mobilize, leaving the community vulnerable to preventable tragedies. Several speakers during the protest recounted recent accidents involving school buses, public service vehicles, and boda boda riders, some of which resulted in fatalities.
The frustration comes amid rising concerns that the delayed upgrade of the Kilifi–Malindi road is slowing down economic activities along the North Coast. Business owners say the poor road condition has discouraged domestic tourism, limited access to markets, and pushed up transport costs for essential goods. Civil society groups also criticized what they termed as chronic neglect of critical infrastructure in coastal regions, urging national and county leaders to jointly address the crisis. Local leaders present at the protest pledged to escalate the matter to the Ministry of Roads, stating that the government must prioritize safety over bureaucracy.
Residents are now calling for immediate intervention, including deployment of emergency repair teams, enforcement of strict traffic safety measures, and transparency on the status of the road’s construction timeline. They warned that if no action is taken, they will stage larger demonstrations in the coming weeks. As the number of accidents continues to rise, the community hopes that renewed public pressure will finally compel authorities to deliver a long-term solution to what has become both a safety concern and a barrier to regional development.