Bishop Mwongela Calls for Road Safety as Festive Season Traffic Surges

Speaking during a church event on 9th December 2025, Bishop Mwongela expressed deep concern over the increasing number of road crashes that have continued to claim lives and leave families devastated. He warned that the end-of-year period historically records higher accident rates due to heavy travel, reckless driving and widespread disregard for traffic regulations.“Christmas season is here, and we urge all members of the public to be careful while on the roads — not only those who are driving but also pedestrians and passengers,” he said. “Let us avoid involving ourselves in situations that lead to accidents. Lives are precious, and we all have a responsibility to protect them.”

The Bishop emphasised that the festive period sees a surge in movement as thousands travel from cities to rural homes and holiday destinations. This increased demand, he noted, often pressures Public Service Vehicle (PSV) operators to rush trips, extend working hours and overload vehicles, practices that significantly elevate risk.

He cautioned drivers against dangerous habits such as speeding, overtaking carelessly and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs — behaviours that remain leading contributors to fatalities on Kenyan roads.“Avoid drug abuse while driving, be respectful while handling members of the public, and remember that you are responsible for the lives entrusted to you,” Bishop Mwongela added. “We urge all motorists to follow traffic laws and for traffic officers to maintain strict order on the roads.”

His message comes as the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) publishes fresh data showing an increase in road fatalities in 2025, with pedestrians constituting a significant proportion of the victims. According to NTSA, unsafe road-crossing practices, speeding vehicles, poorly lit roads and driver negligence are the key factors behind the rising pedestrian deaths.

The Authority has repeatedly appealed to Kenyans to prioritise road safety, launching countrywide sensitisation campaigns targeting drivers, bodaboda riders, passengers and pedestrians. NTSA officials note that while enforcement plays a role, lasting change ultimately depends on personal responsibility and behavioural discipline from all road users.

As families look forward to end-of-year celebrations, Bishop Mwongela urged Kenyans to remember that festivities should not turn into moments of tragedy. He called on parents to guide their children on safe road use practices and advised pedestrians to wear visible clothing at night, use designated crossing points and avoid walking while distracted.“Let us choose caution over haste, patience over anger, and responsibility over recklessness,” he said. “If every one of us plays our part, we can reduce the pain and destruction that road accidents bring to communities.”

The Bishop’s remarks echo national calls for safer roads as the country experiences one of its busiest travel periods. Authorities remind all Kenyans that preventing accidents is a collective duty — and that adherence to traffic rules could be the difference between life and death this festive season.