Mombasa launches campaign against speeding amid fatal crashes

Mombasa County has initiated its third extensive media road safety campaign due to increasing concerns about rising speeding cases and ongoing road fatalities that claim numerous lives annually.
Titled “You Control the Speed. Speed Controls the Outcome,” the campaign follows recent observation data indicating that 20 to 27 percent of drivers in Mombasa surpass speed limits, with median vehicle speeds rising from 39 km/h to 44 km/h. This trend is especially prevalent among SUVs, pickups, light trucks, sedans, motorcycles and matatus, with violations highest on weekends.
Latest road safety findings indicate Mombasa experiences approximately 80 to 90 road deaths yearly, with pedestrians comprising over 55 percent of all fatalities. The Mombasa Road Safety Risk Factors Report additionally shows that vulnerable road userssuch as pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and three-wheeler operatorsrepresented an overwhelming 92 percent of reported road traffic deaths in 2024.
County officials state that speeding continues to be a primary cause of crashes, responsible for nearly half of all road deaths in Mombasa. The condition is anticipated to deteriorate during the current tourism and conference season, a period historically linked with higher traffic volumes and increased road accidents.
During the launch, Chief Officer for Transport and Infrastructure Ali A. Shariff mentioned the county is strengthening measures to reduce speeding through public awareness campaigns, improved enforcement and safer road designs. He observed that many drivers persistently underestimate the dangers of excessive speed, especially the extended stopping distance needed to prevent collisions.
The four-week initiative, backed by Vital Strategies under the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety, will employ television, radio, billboards, digital platforms and public transport branding to inform drivers about the fatal consequences of speeding and promote safer driving practices throughout Mombasa.