Motorcycle carnage escalates as deaths and injuries surge across Kenya

Although motorbikes have become a vital pillar of Kenya’s micro-economy—providing livelihoods for thousands of unemployed youths—their rapid growth has come with dire consequences. The two-wheeler sector has increasingly become a double-edged sword.

Fresh data released on Monday by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) shows that nearly 4,200 people have died on Kenyan roads this year. Of these, 1,085 were motorcyclists, marking a 9.15% increase in biker fatalities compared to last year.

According to the report by acting NTSA Director General Angela Wanjira, between January 1 and November 13, 2025, Kenya recorded 21,042 road crash victims, including 4,195 fatalities—a 2.9% rise from the 4,077 deaths recorded during the same period last year. Slight injuries increased by 11.4% to 6,959 cases, while serious injuries dropped by 2.8% to 8,888.

The surge in motorcycle accidents has stretched the country’s healthcare system, with some public hospitals designating special wards exclusively for motorcycle crash victims—a stark indicator of the crisis.

Survivors often face devastating socio-economic impacts, including overwhelming medical bills, prolonged hospital stays, and loss of income that plunges entire families into poverty.

One such victim is George Okello, a 30-year-old rider from Makongeni Estate in Thika, Kiambu County. He survived a horrific crash on January 13, 2025, after a tuk-tuk struck him from behind moments after he had dropped off a passenger. The tuk-tuk operator fled the scene, leaving him for dead, but well-wishers rushed him to Thika Level Five Hospital, where he received life-saving treatment.

Despite suffering severe spine and head injuries and spending months bedridden, Okello eventually recovered. But the ordeal left him financially crippled. He told journalists at his home that his family was forced to take loans and hold fundraisers because some of the essential medical procedures he needed were not covered by the Social Health Authority (SHA). As the sole breadwinner, his inability to work plunged the household into hardship.

Today, Okello is back on the road, although persistent back pain limits how long he can operate each day. He says he had no choice but to return to work due to the harsh economic realities facing his family.

Another rider, Paul Kimani, suffered life-altering injuries in a crash two years ago that cost him his left leg. His situation was worsened by a nationwide medics’ strike at the time, which left him in hospital for two weeks without adequate treatment. Now fitted with a prosthetic leg, Kimani has returned to riding while also working part-time as a welder in Ngoingwa, Thika. He says financial pressure has forced him to continue working despite the risks.

According to Dr. Daniel Somba, Managing Director and Chief Radiologist at MIC Imaging Center in Thika, motorcycle injuries have become rampant in the region. He reports that about 90% of the patients he attends to daily are victims of motorcycle crashes.

“In a day, we see about 15 to 20 victims of motorcycle accidents with varying degrees of injuries,” he said.

Dr. Somba added that riders commonly sustain severe trauma—especially head injuries, fractures, spinal damage, and internal injuries—often because they lack proper safety gear, including quality helmets. He attributed the rising cases to overspeeding, flouting traffic rules, drunk driving, and riding without proper training or valid licenses.