Mombasa Deploys Speed Guns to Crackdown on Over Speeding

By Mbungu Harrison

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

Traffic officers in Mombasa have begun deploying speed guns and enforcement cameras in a renewed crackdown on overspeeding.

This enhancement is meant to reduce road crashes along the Port City of Mombasa’s busy roads.

The rollout follows a specialized training exercise supported by the Bloomberg Initiative for Road Safety and the Global Road Safety Partnership aimed at equipping officers with the skills needed to effectively use modern speed detection technology.

Authorities noted that many drivers tend to slow down only when they spot traffic officers, a trend that has undermined previous enforcement efforts and highlighted the need for technology-driven monitoring.

Saidi Saidi, enforcement coordinator at the Bloomberg Initiative for Road Safety, said the initiative is designed to deliver long-term impact.

“The main purpose of this activity is to reduce road deaths and severe injuries, and to help achieve Vision Zero by 2030. We are committed to ensuring safer roads through continuous training, enforcement, and partnerships.”

Speaking during the exercise, Marco Schaler emphasized the importance of consistent enforcement.

“Speeding remains one of the main killers on our roads. That is why exercises like this are critical in building the capacity of officers to effectively use speed guns and other enforcement tools,” he said.

The program, launched in 2021, is being implemented in collaboration with the National Transport and Safety Authority, the Kenya Police, and county inspectorate teams, alongside the Global Road Safety Partnership.

As part of the initiative, officers have been equipped with speed guns, road cones, and laptops to enhance enforcement operations with plans underway to introduce alcoblow devices to strengthen checks on drunk driving.

Beyond enforcement, the program incorporates a data-driven approach, with officers collecting and submitting crash data to help identify high-risk areas and guide targeted interventions.

“These reports guide us in advising county governments on where enforcement is most needed,” Saidi added.

Officials say the combination of advanced technology, continuous training, and multi-agency collaboration is key to curbing overspeeding and saving lives.

“If we all work together , police, government agencies, and the public, we will improve safety on our roads,” Schaler noted.

The intensified use of speed guns comes amid rising concern over road safety in Kenya where overspeeding remains a leading cause of fatalities and serious injuries.

Authorities are optimistic that the sustained deployment of speed detection technology will instill discipline among motorists and significantly reduce accidents in Mombasa.