By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, 24 December 2025 - Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has used the festive season to highlight the persistent problem of road carnage, warning that reckless driving continues to undermine what should be a period of celebration and family reunion.
Speaking on Wednesday at his rural home in Irunduni, Tharaka Nithi County, where he hosted thousands of residents for the festive celebration, Prof Kindiki said the loss of lives on Kenyan roads during the holidays remained both troubling and largely preventable.
The event drew residents from across the county, transforming the homestead into a vibrant gathering marked by song, dance and goodwill.
The Deputy President’s remarks come against the backdrop of increased travel during Christmas and New Year festivities, a period traditionally associated with a spike in road accidents.
He cautioned motorists, both private and public, to exercise vigilance, reminding them that they bear responsibility not only for themselves but for passengers whose lives are “precious and irreplaceable”.
Kindiki noted that despite sustained public awareness campaigns and the deployment of traffic police on major highways, fatal accidents continue to be reported daily.
He cited figures released by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), which indicate that dozens of Kenyans have lost their lives in recent days alone, including at least 25 deaths reported on Tuesday.
The Deputy President framed the situation as a failure of personal responsibility rather than policy or enforcement alone, arguing that most crashes could be avoided through simple measures such as obeying traffic rules, avoiding speeding and drunk driving, and ensuring vehicles are roadworthy before long journeys.
He also urged passengers to speak up when drivers behave recklessly, warning that silence often leads to tragedy.
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Beyond road safety, Kindiki used the Christmas gathering to reaffirm the government’s development agenda, particularly in infrastructure.
He told residents that stalled road projects in various parts of the country had resumed and that more would be rolled out in the coming year, citing what he described as an improving economy driven by government interventions.
He revealed that several new projects, including in Tharaka Nithi County, are scheduled to begin in January 2026, aimed at opening up rural areas and stimulating economic activity.
The Deputy President also highlighted progress in the national electrification programme, saying the government had allocated funds to ensure every household is connected to power, which he described as critical for improving livelihoods and supporting small businesses.
Residents and local leaders who attended the celebration welcomed the Deputy President’s message, noting that road accidents have become a major concern during peak travel periods.
They also praised the government’s emphasis on roads and electricity, saying improved infrastructure would accelerate development in the region.
As the festive season continues, Kindiki’s remarks underscore a familiar but urgent message: that the joy of end-year festivities and the New Year can quickly turn to sorrow if caution is ignored on the roads, and that preventing such tragedies ultimately rests with the choices made by motorists and passengers alike.
Kindiki Warns Motorists as He Hosts Tharaka Residents
Deputy President Urges Vigilance
