The Nakuru County Transport and Safety Committee has held a stakeholder engagement meeting with representatives from Nairobi County as part of a broader plan to improve road safety and strengthen transport systems through inter-county collaboration.
The meeting was chaired by Nakuru County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Infrastructure, Eng. Michael Kamau, and brought together officials from both county governments, as well as key transport stakeholders. The session provided a platform for open dialogue on shared challenges in the transport sector and possible joint interventions to enhance road safety.
Eng. Kamau noted the importance of counties working together to address transport issues that affect both urban and peri-urban regions. He emphasized that challenges such as road accidents, traffic congestion, and non-motorized transport infrastructure gaps require a coordinated response, especially between counties with high traffic volumes and expanding urban populations.
A central point of discussion was the alignment of transport policies between counties to ensure consistency in enforcement, planning, and infrastructure development. Both counties shared experiences from past initiatives, highlighting the need for regular data sharing on road accidents, blackspots, and enforcement trends to inform decision-making processes.
The teams also discussed joint preparations for the upcoming United Nations Global Road Safety Week. During this global event, both Nakuru and Nairobi counties plan to roll out synchronized road safety awareness programs, conduct joint enforcement activities, and launch educational campaigns targeting road users, including pedestrians, public transport operators, cyclists, and private vehicle drivers.
The forum also explored ways of promoting sustainable urban mobility through public transport improvement and support for non-motorized transport. Stakeholders noted the need for both counties to prioritize walkability, cycling infrastructure, and traffic calming measures to improve safety for all road users.
Representatives from both counties agreed on the need for ongoing engagement beyond the initial meeting. This includes forming a working group that will guide the development of shared road safety campaigns, technical support exchanges, and pilot projects that can be scaled across other counties. The working group will also explore funding opportunities and policy frameworks that support joint implementation of safety initiatives.
The engagement complements the broader commitment of counties to implement the National Road Safety Action Plan and contribute to Kenya’s obligations under international frameworks for transport and road safety. It also supports the goals of Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly on reducing road traffic injuries and fatalities.
Nakuru County continues to pursue local strategies to improve transport infrastructure, such as signage upgrades, road maintenance, and public sensitization forums. The Department of Infrastructure is also working with other departments to integrate road safety into school transport programs, market centers, and health sector emergency response planning.
The partnership with Nairobi County is expected to strengthen knowledge exchange and enhance capacity within Nakuru County as it addresses local transport challenges. The outcomes of this engagement will be documented and shared with other counties, with the goal of building a broader inter-county framework for transport safety collaboration.
The two counties committed to reviewing progress on agreed actions during a follow-up session to be scheduled after the Global Road Safety Week