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By Liz Anyango
Nairobi, Kenya: When Portuguese footballer Diogo Jota and his brother André died in a fiery crash on Spain’s A-52 highway, the world stood still. Fans lit candles, stadiums fell silent, and headlines screamed with shock. They were in a powerful, high-end car but still, it wasn’t enough to save them. That very same day in Kenya, a matatu crash at Mlima Kiu along the Mombasa-Nairobi Highway claimed three lives, including a 10-year-old child. No headlines. No global outcry. Just another tragic day on Kenyan roads, where an average of 12 lives are lost every single day.
Two crashes. Two different worlds. One brutal truth: the road spares no one. While the world continues to count lives lost on the road, some are working to change the story.
In Kenya, the Automobile Association of Kenya (AA Kenya) a trusted name in transport for over a century is leading the charge for change, with bold initiatives like the Road Safety Excellence Awards.
This was not just another awards ceremony. It was a powerful moment to honor ordinary people and organizations doing extraordinary work to save lives and to remind the nation that responsibility on the road starts with each one of us.
“Tonight’s awards serve a triple purpose: To celebrate those doing great work, encourage others to follow their example and spark long-lasting change. It’s time to walk the talk. Road safety is everyone’s responsibility,” said Francis Theuri, Group Managing Director of AA Kenya, during his keynote address.
His words captured the spirit of the Road Safety Excellence Awards; a call for change that brought together leaders, experts, drivers, and trainers to take action, take responsibility, and champion safer roads for all.
Guest speaker Elijah Mwangi, CBS, Kenya’s Principal Secretary for the State Department for Sports, underscored the harsh truth behind Kenya’s road carnage. Citing NTSA data, he noted that an average of 12 people lose their lives every day in road accidents, with thousands more injured or permanently disabled.
“These sad numbers are not just statistics, they represent lives lost, families broken, dreams cut short, talents wasted, and a country’s productivity affected,” he said, stressing that road safety is not just about following rules, but about protecting and valuing human life.
Bringing a global lens to the conversation, Jinaro Kibet President of AA Kenya, and the African Council of Touring and Automobile Clubs (ACTA) reminded the audience that the awards are not just a local effort, but part of a bigger global movement.
“These awards are a strategic contribution to the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety (2021–2030) and Kenya’s Vision 2030. Under the FIA umbrella, we are empowered not just to dream of safer roads but to build them,” he said.
He also highlighted AA Kenya’s growing international impact, noting that its “Safe to Load” technology was named a finalist in the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) Innovation Challenge 2024, a global contest for breakthrough mobility solutions. The system, which checks truck roadworthiness before loading, tackles a major cause of freight-related accidents.
This recognition shows Kenya’s leadership is practical, scalable road safety innovations and on a night dedicated to honoring such progress, the wait was finally over, the 2025 Road Safety Excellence champions were named.
Bima Meds Insurance Brokers emerged as the Corporate Award winner, hailed for weaving safety directly into their policies a bold nod to corporate accountability. In the Youth Category, cheers filled the room as Faith Chelangat was crowned for her fearless, youthful advocacy that’s rewriting how a generation thinks about road safety.
In the Individual Male Champion category, the spotlight shone on Winston Mwendwa, whose grassroots motorcycle safety campaigns have turned helmets into heroes in communities across Kenya. Esther Wanjiru took home the Individual Female Champion title, honored for taking road safety education straight to the hearts of local neighborhoods.
As the applause continued, KCA University was named Road Safety Partner of the Year, their academic leadership and innovation in transport safety earning them a well-deserved place at the top. Finally, the night reached a powerful crescendo as NTSA Director General George Njao received the prestigious Road Safety Leadership Award, a tribute to his tireless efforts in advancing Kenya’s national safety agenda.
The evening was also a powerful reminder of AA Kenya’s century-long journey a legacy rooted in road safety, motor excellence, and empowerment. From launching the first Safari Rally in 1953 to producing legends like Shekhar Mehta and Joginder Singh, AA Kenya has not only shaped motorsport but transformed how we move and stay safe on our roads.
Today, that legacy continues through vital services like road rescue, international licensing, and defensive driver training, alongside innovative initiatives like the Best Young Driver competition, which is inspiring a new generation of road safety champions.
As the night drew to a close, Timothy Keli, Director of Mobility Services at AA Kenya, delivered a stirring message to drive the mission forward:
“Every statistic has a face, every number a name. The champions we recognize tonight have turned data into decisive action. This ceremony is not the finish line it is the launchpad for the next era of Kenyan road safety.”
