Association for Safe International Road Travel Road Safety Review: Kenya Know Before You Go Driving Culture Driving is on the left. • Drivers often behave unpredictably. Road crashes are a leading cause of injuries and fatalities. • Speeding is common. Travel restrictions may be in place due to the Ebola outbreak • Many vehicles are poorly maintained. in East Congo countries. • Vehicles, including rental equipment, often lack Drivers are required to carry a valid license, registration basic safety equipment. documents and proof of third-party insurance. • Drivers commonly cross roadways and travel Seat belt use is mandatory for driver and passengers; there are against traffic. no restrictions to children sitting in front seat. • Drivers frequently jump red lights and make illegal Child restraint laws do not apply; restraints may not be right turns on red. available. An estimated half of all traffic fatalities are children. For safety, children should be in a seat or restraint appropriate • Donkeys may cross or walk along roads in rural to age, height and weight. Bring a child safety restraint with you. areas. Use of drugs while driving is prohibited. • Drivers should be alert to loose camels on or near Blood alcohol limit is below 0.08 g/dl. roads in northern areas. There are 29.1 road deaths per 100,000 people in Kenya, • Wildlife on roadways is common. Drivers should compared to 2.8 in Sweden and 2.9 in the UK. be cautious, especially near game areas and national parks. Road Conditions • National road safetystrategies are fully funded through Kenya’s national budget. The National Transport and Safety Authority is the lead agency in road safety. • Formal audits are required for new road construction projects. • There are regular inspections of existing road infrastructure. • Roads are poorly maintained. • Potholes and uneven surfaces are common. • Beyond cities, traffic lights are rare. • Police direct trafficat roundabouts. Be familiar with hand signals. • Traffic jams are common at rush hour in cities. • Pedestrian infrastructure is lacking. • Road crossings are often unmarked. • Night travel should be avoided outside of cities. The majority of roads are poorly lit or unlit. • Crimes including armed attacks and carjackings increase at night. • During rainy season, unpaved roads are frequently impassible. • Hazardous conditions including floods and standing water may conceal deep potholes, even in cities. • Pedestrians should exercise extreme caution during heavy rains as road surfaces and curbs are obscured. • Murram roads, also known as laterite roads, are common, especially in game parks: » Surfaces consist of small stones mixed with dirt and sand that may become slippery when wet. » Steeply curved surfaces used to improve drainage also increase risk of skidding. » Drivers often travel in center of road where surface is flatter, adding to risk of head-on collisions. » Without regular maintenance, surfaces develop potholes, deep ruts, ridges of small stones along edges, or corrugated surfaces. » Dust created by passing vehicles reduces visibility Source: CIA Factbook ©ASIRT 2018 1 Association for Safe International Road Travel Road Safety Review: Kenya during dry weather. » Tire wear is 40–50% higher than on paved roads, with increased risk of damaged or punctured tires. Carry a spare. • According to The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and the National Police Service, the following roads may present particular challenges to drivers due to lack of maintenance, speeding, lack of lane discipline, reckless driving, and driving under the influence of alcohol and other substances: » Salgaa, Sachang’wan, Migaa, Soysambu areas in Nakuru County and Bonje area in Kilifi. » Manyani in Taita Taveta, Lukenya and Maanzoni in Machakos; Kiima Kiu/Salama and Konza area in Makueni. » Ntulele and Duka Moja market center in Narok, and the Kenol to Sagana and Kenol to Murang’a sections in Murang’a and Kirinyaga counties » The Mai Mahiu-Narok Road leading to the Massai Mara tourist area has deep potholes. » C103 links Namanga and Amboseli in the Tsavo West National Park in the Coast Province. The road’s dirt surface is prone to washouts in heavy rain, and deep, frequent potholes. A four-wheel drive vehicle is required. Regional and Seasonal Conditions • The US State Department and UK government advise visitors to avoid the following high-crime areas: » Northeastern counties of Mandera, Wajir and Garissa. This includes the cities of El Wak, Wajir, Garissa, Mandera, and Liboi. » All parts of coastal areas including Tana River and Lamu, and all areas of Kilifi county north of Malindi. » The Eastleigh neighborhood in Nairobi. » Mombasa after dark. » Areas within 60 km (37 miles) of the Kenya-Somali border; terrorism is a risk. • Kenya is subject to both droughts and severe seasonal flooding. • Official rainy season is April to June, but heavy rains may begin much earlier. • Following heavy rain, treacherous flood conditions may exist: » Standing water can hide road surfaces and large potholes. » Water levels can change rapidly. » Floodwaters may destabilize bridges by washing away or loosening foundations. » Small rural bridges are especially at risk. • Be familiar with emergency procedures. The Red Cross provides a website and free, downloadable emergency app: http://www.redcross.org/get-help/prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies Public Transportation • Public transportation is underdeveloped; investment in public Speed Limits transport is lacking. Type of road Maximum speed • There are no policies to promote walking or cycling. 50 kph Urban areas • There is no functional bus system. (31 mph) • Public transport in cities is often limited to Matatus private Rural roads 100 kph transportation buses, which are generally unsafe. (62 mph) • According to the US State Dept., Matatus are regarded as the 110 kph Motorways greatest danger to vehicles and pedestrians. (68 mph) • Matatus are frequent targets of crimes including muggings, Always adjust speed according to signage, hazards and armed attacks and kidnappings. weather conditions. • Crashes and fatalities involving two-wheeled motorcycle taxis called boda bodas are common. Signs are generally pictorial and may not follow European Union conventions. Priority No Speed No River Blind traffic priority bump entry crosses road spot ©ASIRT 2018 2 Association for Safe International Road Travel Road Safety Review: Kenya • Boda boda drivers frequently ignore traffic rules Nairobi (Capital) and basic safety precautions. » • Taxi service is limited. »Road conditions are perilous. While most city roads are • Many taxis operate without licenses. Request a paved, surfaces are damaged and contain large, deep registered, licensed taxi through your hotel. potholes. » • There is little pedestrian infrastructure. »Traffic management and infrastructure have not kept up with • Pedestrians should exercise extreme caution; increase in vehicle numbers. » drivers frequently ignore marked crossings. »Major road construction is ongoing. » • Sidewalks are lacking; footpaths are generally »Most city roads have signs and adequate lighting. » unpaved with uneven surfaces. »Traffic lights with closed-circuit cameras and digital • Kenya Railway Service operates limited routes countdown timers are being installed to monitor and control twice weekly. Passenger trains are regarded as traffic flow, ease congestion and detect red light violations. » unsafe and poorly maintained. »Haile Selassie roundabout at Uhuru Highway is dangerous. » • The US State Department advises visitors to »Matatus and pedestrians often fail to obey traffic lights. » avoid the Likoni ferry, which has a poor safety »A portion of Likoni Road junction to James Gichuru Road record. junction has a viaduct and footbridges. »» Western Ring Road connects: Traffic Regulations Ngong Road to James Gichuru Road via Kileleshwa. • Right turns on red are prohibited. Gitanga Road to Waiyaki Way. • Speed cameras are common. »»Northern bypass connects Limuru Road to Thika Road. • Police carry out random breath tests. »»Eastern bypass connects Mombasa Road to Ruiru-Kiambu • Vehicles traveling uphill have right of way. Road near Kamiti Prison. Bypass has significantly reduced • Stopping on bridges is prohibited. travel time for commuters. • Helmet use is mandatory for drivers and »»Rush-hour traffic is heavy. passengers. »»Police direct traffic at roundabouts. • Motorcycle drivers and passengers are required »»Many taxis are unlicensed. to wear jackets fitted with reflectors. »»Close to half of Nairobi residents walk to work. • Minimum age for motorcycle drivers is 16. For »»Pedestrians should avoid walking alone or at night: cars, vans and trucks, minimum age is 18. Downtown areas, public parks, beaches, footpaths and poorly • Car rental companies require drivers to be at lit areas are especially dangerous. least 23 years of age; various companies may »»The Kibera/Kibich neighborhood is a high-risk area. Avoid at have individual restrictions. night. • Roadside “courts” are common. Traffic police »»Road risk is high for pedestrians in the crowded Savannah may demand on-the-spot judgments and fines Estate district. for traffic infractions. »»In Mutindwa, traffic calming measures have reduced • Drivers are prohibited from leaving vehicles pedestrian road risks. unattended while engine is running. »»There is commuter rail from Nairobi to Ruiru, Kahawa, • Parking permits are required in cities. Embakasi Village, Kikuyu and Stony Athi. Trains are