Kenya's rising road safety concerns have prompted the launch of a new education programme targeting schoolchildren, teachers and Scouts leaders, with selected Nairobi schools set to benefit in the first phase.
The initiative, launched on Wednesday, September 9, seeks to equip learners with practical road safety knowledge while training key school stakeholders to promote safer behaviour and protect children on Kenya's roads.
CFAO Mobility Kenya is implementing the programme in partnership with the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), the Kenya Police Service Traffic Department, the Kenya Scouts Association (KSA) and First Step Road Safety Initiatives.
The programme will focus on training Scouts leaders, teachers, Scout patrons, school transport personnel and other stakeholders who play a role in promoting road safety within schools and surrounding communities.
The initiative comes amid persistent concerns over road crashes in Kenya, with the press release citing NTSA data showing that 4,458 road crashes were recorded in 2025, up from 4,311 cases reported in 2024.
More than 4,000 people also lose their lives in road crashes in Kenya every year, according to the authority, highlighting the continued need for interventions aimed at improving road safety awareness and behaviour.
The programme will initially be rolled out in Nairobi before expanding to other parts of the country.
Some of the schools set to benefit from the first phase include Upper Hill School, Bidii Primary School, Utawala Academy, Highway Secondary School and Ruaraka Academy, among others.
According to the Kenya Scouts Association, the training will equip Scout leaders with practical knowledge on responsible road use, pedestrian safety, traffic rules and measures aimed at protecting children and young people. The programme also seeks to use schools as a platform for instilling safe road-use habits from an early age.
In addition to classroom and school-based training, the programme will support participation in the annual Scouts Road Safety Badge competitions, reinforcing road safety education through structured and engaging activities.
CFAO Mobility Kenya Managing Director Arvinder Reel said the initiative was designed to create lasting behavioural change among young people and extend road safety awareness beyond schools.
“Road safety is a shared responsibility, and education is one of the most effective ways of creating lasting behavioural change. Through this programme, we are equipping Scouts leaders, teachers and school communities with the knowledge and tools to champion road safety among learners," Reel remarked.
He added that engaging young people early could help build a generation of more responsible road users.
“We believe that by engaging young people early, we can help nurture a generation of responsible road users and create a culture of safety that extends beyond schools into families and communities,” he said.
The programme will also draw support from road safety stakeholders, including NTSA and the Traffic Department, combining technical expertise, enforcement perspectives and practical guidance in efforts to strengthen road safety education.
First Step Road Safety Initiatives Chief Executive Officer George A. Ayienda said reducing road crashes required a collective approach involving stakeholders from different sectors.
“Promoting road safety is essential to building a culture of responsible road use. Reducing road-related accidents requires a collective effort, and stakeholders across different sectors must work together to strengthen road safety awareness, encourage responsible behaviour and ultimately help save lives on our roads,” Ayienda said.
The latest initiative adds to broader efforts by road safety stakeholders to strengthen education and awareness among different groups of road users, including school-going children. NTSA has also continued to emphasise road safety measures involving school transport and other road users.
With the programme starting in Nairobi schools, its eventual expansion across the country could see more learners and school communities receive structured training aimed at promoting safer behaviour on the roads.
