Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has urged motorists to exercise extra caution on the roads during the Christmas and New Year festivities, warning that reckless driving continues to claim lives across the country.
Prof Kindiki said it was deeply troubling that many Kenyans were losing their lives at a time meant for celebration and family reunion, noting that most road crashes could be prevented through responsible behaviour by drivers.
The Deputy President spoke on Wednesday 24th 2025, at his rural home in Irunduni, Tharaka Nithi County, where he hosted thousands of Tharaka Nithi residents who gathered to celebrate Christmas with him.
The event drew locals from different parts of the county, turning the homestead into a lively hub of song, dance and goodwill messages.
He said the festive season should be a time for joy and thanksgiving, not mourning caused by carelessness on the roads.
“Most people are travelling home for Christmas and the New Year holidays. I am beseeching drivers, whether of private or public vehicles to be vigilant and responsible on the road remembering you are carrying precious lives who are important to their families and to our country. Human life is precious and irreplaceable.” noted Kindiki .
The Deputy President said it was worrying that, despite sustained public awareness campaigns and the presence of traffic police on major highways, fatal accidents continued to be reported daily.
Citing figures released by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), Prof Kindiki said the situation remained alarming, with dozens of Kenyans already having lost their lives in recent days.
“NTSA has released figures of those we have lost in road accidents recently, and they are saddening. On Tuesday alone, we lost at least 25 people .This year, we have lost so many people through road accidents, yet most of these accidents are avoidable if we drive responsibly.” said DP.
He called on motorists to observe traffic rules, avoid speeding and drunk driving, and ensure their vehicles were roadworthy before embarking on long journeys.
At the same time, the Deputy President urged passengers to speak up when drivers put their lives at risk, saying silence in the face of reckless driving often ends in tragedy.
Beyond road safety, Prof Kindiki used the occasion to update residents on ongoing and planned development projects in Tharaka Nithi County and across the country, saying the government remained committed to improving livelihoods through infrastructure development.
He said road construction works that had stalled in some areas had resumed and that more projects would be rolled out in the coming year.
“We have resumed road construction, and many projects are now ongoing across the country and this will continue in 2026 because the economy is flourishing owing to fruitful economic interventions by the government.”he added.
The Deputy President revealed that several new projects would be launched from January 2026, including in Tharaka Nithi County, as part of efforts to open up rural areas and boost economic activity.
On electricity connectivity the former Interior cabinet secretary said the national electrification programme was progressing well, with the government keen on ensuring that every household is connected to power.
“Electricity connection is moving on well. We want every home to be connected we have funds to support this national electrification project because access to power is key to improving the quality of life and supporting small businesses.” he added
Residents who attended the celebrations welcomed the Deputy President’s message, saying road accidents had become a major concern during the festive season when travel peaks.
Local leaders lauded the government’s focus on infrastructure, saying improved roads and electricity would spur development in the region.
“ Thankyou so much for coming to celebrate with me let us celebrate Christmas and welcome the New Year in full health Let us not turn this season of joy into a season of sorrow because of avoidable mistakes on the road.”notend the DP.
