Two Dutch Tourists Tragically Lose Lives in Kilifi Road Accident.

Two Dutch tourists lost their lives in a tragic road accident on Wednesday morning in the Mariakani Maji Ya Chumvi area along the Mombasa highway. The accident, which occurred at 7 a.m., involved a collision between their van and a trailer.

National Police Service spokeswoman, Dr. Resila Onyango, confirmed the incident and reported that two other tourists, the driver, and a guide sustained injuries and were rushed to the hospital, where they are now in stable condition.

Dr. Onyango stated that the tourists were traveling toward Nairobi when the crash happened. The Mombasa highway is known for its high rate of fatal accidents, raising concerns about road safety.

This accident comes amid alarming statistics showing an increase in road fatalities this year. According to police data, 4,282 people were killed in road accidents between January and November 2024, a rise from the 3,901 fatalities recorded during the same period in 2023. Additionally, 10,662 individuals sustained serious injuries this year, compared to 9,501 in 2023.

Pedestrians remain the most affected group, with 1,637 fatalities reported in 2024, up from 1,413 last year. Passenger deaths also increased to 788 from 673 in 2023. The total number of reported accidents rose to 21,620, compared to 20,191 in the previous year.

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) identified hit-and-runs, tyre bursts, loss of vehicle or motorcycle control, improper overtaking, and head-on collisions as the leading causes of fatal accidents.

Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, announced measures to improve road safety, including deploying more traffic police officers, collaborating with NTSA for road safety compliance checks, and working with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to curb corruption on the roads during the festive season.

Beyond road safety, the police have enhanced security measures nationwide. Additional specialized units, including Formed Police Units and undercover officers, have been deployed to intensify patrols and surveillance in major towns, borders, shopping malls, places of worship, and critical infrastructure areas.