NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 5 – The Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK) has raised concerns over a surge in fatal road crashes along the Northern Corridor, blaming road design failures and weak enforcement rather than driver behaviour alone.
In a statement dated January 5, 2026, the association said the crashes follow a recurring pattern along sections of the Mombasa–Nairobi–Naivasha–Nakuru–Eldoret–Malaba highway, citing hotspots including Karai, Kinungi, Nyakairu, Keroche, Delamere, Kikopey, Mbaruk, Ngata, Mau Summit and parts of Eldoret.
MAK questioned the long-standing position by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) that up to 85 percent of crashes are caused by human error, arguing that the concentration of accidents at the same locations points to systemic infrastructure weaknesses.
The association said the single-carriage design of the corridor, heavy congestion from freight traffic and the absence of designated rest areas contribute to driver fatigue and risky overtaking, particularly for long-distance drivers.
MAK cited sections of the Kenol–Marua road and the redesigned Salgaa descent as examples where road expansion and engineering interventions significantly reduced head-on collisions and fatalities.
The group said the Northern Corridor has not undergone similar upgrades despite prolonged discussions around public-private partnership toll road projects, arguing that delays have prolonged safety risks on the highway.
The association also raised concerns over driver training and licensing standards, calling for reforms in driving school accreditation and testing processes, as well as improved traffic enforcement focused on accident-prone sections rather than routine speed checks.
MAK urged national and county governments to prioritise sectional road dualling, improved signage and lighting, truck lay-bys, pedestrian crossings and coordinated land-use planning along the corridor.
The Northern Corridor is Kenya’s main transport artery linking the port of Mombasa to the hinterland and neighbouring countries, carrying a significant share of regional freight and passenger traffic.
