Mombasa Partners with Bloomberg Initiative to Expand Road Safety Programs

By Mbungu Harrison

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

Mombasa County will scale up road safety measures and build connected cycling networks under the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety, Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir has announced.

The move is part of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ US$350 million global commitment to prevent traffic deaths and injuries, unveiled by Mike Bloomberg at CityLab 2026, hosted by Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Aspen Institute.

“This investment will provide critical resources to strengthen our ongoing efforts to make streets safer and prevent traffic deaths in Mombasa City,” said Nassir.

The investment in Mombasa will support three key interventions: implementing proven road safety policies and infrastructure improvements, building connected cycling networks to promote safer and greener mobility, and continuing efforts to reduce dangerous speeding.

“We’re implementing proven strategies to protect our residents and build a more sustainable city through this collaboration with Bloomberg Philanthropies to ensure every Mombasa resident is safe on our streets,” he added.

Speeding is a contributing factor in roughly 50 per cent of all road traffic fatalities, according to the county.

Globally, more than one million people die in road crashes each year, including over 4,000 in Kenya. Another 20 to 50 million are injured, many with lifelong disabilities.

“Most of these deaths and injuries are not accidents, but the result of system failures including poorly designed roads, and public policies and urban design that favours vehicle speed over public health and safety,” the statement read.

Mombasa is among 30 cities across 14 countries where the initiative will scale proven policies. Others include Buenos Aires and Córdoba in Argentina, Chattogram and Dhaka North in Bangladesh, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, and Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.

African cities in the programme are Oromia State in Ethiopia, Kampala in Uganda, Cape Town in South Africa, and Nairobi and Mombasa in Kenya.

In India, the initiative covers Karnataka State, Maharashtra State including Mumbai and Pune, Delhi, and Rajasthan State. Other cities are Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Jalisco State and Mexico City in Mexico, and Da Nang and Hanoi in Vietnam.

The initiative seeks to advance efforts to improve road design, enhance vehicle safety, and create connected cycling networks.

The announcement comes as counties grapple with rising road fatalities linked to speeding, poor infrastructure, and lack of dedicated lanes for cyclists and pedestrians.

Mombasa has in recent years recorded a spike in crashes involving boda bodas and matatus, especially along the Mombasa–Malindi and Likoni–Ukunda highways.

The county government has been under pressure to redesign high-risk junctions and introduce traffic-calming measures near schools and markets.

The Bloomberg partnership is expected to provide technical support and funding for data-driven interventions, enforcement, and public awareness campaigns.