Mombasa Launch Fresh Campaign to Curb Speeding and Reduce Road Anarchy

By Mbungu Harrison

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

The Mombasa County government has launched its third road safety mass media campaign aimed at reducing speeding and cutting down traffic crashes, injuries and deaths.

The campaign, dubbed “You control the speed. Speed controls the outcome,” was developed with support from global health organisation Vital Strategies under the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS).

County officials said the initiative seeks to educate motorists on the dangers of speeding through demonstrating how higher speeds increase stopping distances, crash severity and the likelihood of death or serious injury.

The campaign comes at a time when Mombasa is experiencing increased traffic volumes associated with the June tourism and conference season, a period historically linked to a rise in road crashes.

According to data cited during the launch, between 20 and 27 per cent of drivers exceed speed limits, with median vehicle speeds having risen from 39km/h to 44km/h.

The trend is most common among SUVs, pickup trucks, light trucks, sedans, motorcycles and matatus, particularly during weekends.

Road safety statistics indicate that Mombasa records between 80 and 90 road fatalities annually with pedestrians accounting for more than half of all deaths.

Local estimates attribute nearly half of the county’s road deaths to speeding.

Findings from the Mombasa Road Safety Risk Factors Report show that pedestrians account for more than 55 per cent of road traffic fatalities in the county, making them the most vulnerable road users.

The report also found that pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and three-wheeler users accounted for 92 per cent of reported road traffic deaths in 2024.

The report further highlights concerns over the growing number of private vehicles, especially SUVs, whose larger size, weight and higher front profile increase the risk of severe injuries to pedestrians during collisions.

County chief officer for Transport and Infrastructure Eng Ali A Shariff said the campaign supports the county’s broader urban mobility and safe system approach to road safety.

“As a county, we are committed to implementing sustainable and data-driven road safety interventions that save lives. Speeding continues to be a leading risk factor on our roads,” he said.

The official said the campaign would help drivers better understand the real dangers associated with excessive speed.

“Through strategic enforcement, public awareness, and safer road design, we aim to create a transport system that prioritizes people and protects vulnerable road users.”

The campaign is designed around the “science of speeding,” focusing on helping motorists understand how speed affects stopping distance, crash severity and survival chances in the event of a collision.

Vital Strategies Communication manager for Kenya, Tsion Kiros, welcomed the initiative noting the importance of combining public awareness with enforcement efforts.

“Everyone deserves safe streets,” said the manager.

She added “Speeding is particularly risky because it influences both the likelihood of a crash and the severity of the consequences of a crash. Mass media campaigns paired with enforcement are a critical tool to change risky driving behaviors and cultural norms. We applaud Mombasa County on the launch of their ‘You control the speed. Speed controls the outcome’ campaign and their continued efforts to reduce speeds and save lives.”

The four-week campaign will run across television, radio, billboards, digital platforms and public transport branding, while also incorporating targeted outreach activities in high-risk areas across the county.

Police-led community outreach programmes will also be conducted to educate motorists on safe stopping distances and the dangers associated with speeding.