- Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has asked the Senate to investigate NTSA over growing road deaths.
- He tabled the request on February 16, 2026, before the Roads, Transportation and Housing Committee.
- Official data shows 4,458 fatalities by December 2, 2025, higher than 4,311 deaths in 2024.
- The Kenya Traffic Police recorded 398 deaths in January 2026 alone.
- Omtatah says NTSA has failed to fully enforce road safety laws and structured safety systems.
Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has formally petitioned the Senate to examine the operations of the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), citing what he describes as continued lapses in road safety enforcement.
In a statement submitted on February 16, 2026, the senator asked the Senate Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing to look into how the authority is carrying out its legal duties under the National Transport and Safety Authority Act.
Omtatah argues that despite clear laws meant to reduce accidents, the country is still witnessing a steady increase in deaths and serious injuries on the roads.
Recent figures highlight the seriousness of the situation. Data from NTSA shows that by December 2, 2025, a total of 4,458 people had lost their lives in road crashes. This number is higher than the 4,311 deaths recorded in 2024.
The Kenya Traffic Police also reported that 398 people died in road accidents in January 2026 alone, raising fresh concern about road safety standards.
In a message posted on X on February 23, Omtatah said the rising deaths point to weak enforcement, poor coordination among agencies, and a lack of structured safety systems.
At the heart of the senator’s concerns is what he calls NTSA’s failure to put in place a strong Road Traffic Safety Management System.
He claims the authority has not fully established proper accident investigations, effective journey and fatigue management systems, or real-time monitoring of vehicles and drivers.
Omtatah is also seeking clarification on whether NTSA has adopted global best practices such as ISO 39001:2021, an international standard for road traffic safety management.
He says the Senate committee should explain what steps have been taken to enforce mandatory safety systems and why deaths continue to rise despite existing laws.
Road safety in Kenya is backed by both statutory law and the Constitution. Article 26 guarantees the right to life, while Article 43 protects the right to the highest standard of health.
Governance experts argue that these rights place a duty on the state to prevent avoidable road deaths. Omtatah maintains that protecting lives on the roads is not optional but a legal and moral responsibility.
He further alleges that expert proposals aimed at strengthening enforcement and improving safety oversight have not been acted upon, weakening the country’s response to the crisis.
The motion calls for a review of policy, administrative and enforcement reforms currently in place or planned to address the growing problem.
It also seeks answers on how NTSA is working with the National Police Service and county governments, which all play key roles in road management and enforcement.
The Senate committee is expected to summon NTSA officials to give a detailed account of compliance measures, enforcement plans and future reforms.
Omtatah has promised to keep the public updated on the progress of the matter, stressing that road safety is ultimately about protecting lives.
