AA Kenya Launches Road Safety Awards to Drive National Culture of Safe Mobility -

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By James Nyaigoti

The Automobile Association of Kenya (AA Kenya) hosted its first-ever Road Safety Excellence Awards Gala on Friday evening at the Pullman Hotel in Nairobi.

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The prestigious event honored individuals and organizations that have made exceptional contributions to enhancing road safety in Kenya. The gathering brought together key leaders from government, industry, academia, civil society, and transport stakeholders, united in a collective mission to reduce road fatalities and promote safer mobility across the country.

The awards ceremony marked a significant moment in AA Kenya’s over century-long journey as a pioneer in mobility and road safety. Founded in 1919, the organization has been instrumental in shaping Kenya’s transport systems and motor sports history. From launching the first Safari Rally in 1953 to providing driving education and road rescue services, AA Kenya’s influence remains unmatched.

Speaking at the event, Principal Secretary for Sports, Elijah Mwangi, applauded AA Kenya’s longstanding legacy.

He observed, “It is impossible to speak of Kenya’s transport industry or motorsports without recognizing AA Kenya. From the Safari Rally to the rise of rally legends like Shekhar Mehta, Ian Duncan, and Jonathan Toroitich, this institution has left a lasting imprint.”

The Principal Secretary reminded the audience that road safety is a deeply personal matter, noting, “It’s not an abstract idea it’s our daily lived reality. Every act of discipline on the road, every decision to follow traffic laws, adds up to a safer Kenya.”

He stressed that the country loses an average of 12 lives each day in road accidents, adding that, “These numbers represent broken families, lost talents, and dreams abruptly ended. The cost to the nation is immense—socially, emotionally, and economically.”

Mwangi further revealed that Kenya will host the African chapter of the Best Young Drivers competition this November, a move that he said reflects the country’s growing role in promoting responsible driving among youth.

“This isn’t just a sporting milestone. It’s a chance to market Kenya as a center for driving excellence and youth empowerment,” he said.

Francis Theuri, AA Kenya’s Group Managing Director, praised the award recipients for setting high standards in road safety innovation.

“These awards go beyond recognition. They are meant to inspire others, to encourage replication of best practices, and to generate lasting change. Road safety is not someone else’s job it belongs to all of us,” he said.

The winners were drawn from a pool of submissions by SACCOs, academic institutions, community groups, and companies across the country. Their initiatives ranged from integrating driver education in schools and universities, to implementing driver wellness programs and deploying digital monitoring systems.

Jinaro Kibet, President of AA Kenya and also head of the African Council of Touring and Automobile Clubs (ACTA), emphasized the global alignment of the awards, stating, “These efforts reflect our commitment to the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety and Kenya’s Vision 2030. We’re proud that our ‘Safe to Load’ platform was recognized globally as a finalist in the 2024 FIA Innovation Challenge.”

On his part, George Njau, Director General of the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), highlighted the limited number of traffic officers compared to the country’s population and explained why public-private partnerships are essential.

“With just 10,000 officers serving 54 million people, it’s clear we can’t rely on enforcement alone. That’s why we partnered with groups like AA Kenya, FIA, Safaricom, and others who understand that safety must be embedded in culture, not just controlled by regulation,” he said.

Njau also revealed that President William Ruto has challenged NTSA to cut road fatalities by 50 percent by 2028, two years ahead of the global target under the UN framework.

“We must accelerate our efforts, and that means rethinking how we approach road safety altogether,” he said.

The awards spotlighted a wide range of outstanding contributors. In the education category, Mountain View Academy and Catholic University of East Africa led in the primary and tertiary levels, respectively. Kangaroo SACCO and City E-Mobility were recognized among top transport cooperatives, while companies such as Bamburi Cement, Kenya Breweries, GA Insurance, and Isuzu East Africa were honored for their driver wellness, safety training, and innovation efforts.

Among the individual champions honored were Engineer Mary Abungu and Kevin Mubadi, while Sikika Road Safety emerged as the leading community-based organization. Faras Cabs was named Digital Taxi Platform of the Year, and Kenya Red Cross received accolades for community engagement and first aid response.

In his closing remarks, Timothy Keli, Director of Mobility Services at AA Kenya, urged all stakeholders to move from intention to action. “Every statistic you see represents a life—a mother, a father, a child. These awards are not a conclusion. They are a launchpad for what comes next in our journey toward zero-death roads.”

As the curtains fell on a historic evening, the message was loud and clear: road safety is not just a policy it is a shared national duty, a cultural imperative, and a future that depends on everyone’s participation.

Winners – Road Safety Excellence Awards 2025

Learning Institution of the Year – Primary Schools

Mountain View Academy – Nairobi

Laureate School – Thindigua

Kimoroi Primary – Kenol

Donholm Comprehensive School – Nairobi

St. Thomas Catholic – Othaya

Learning Institution of the Year – Tertiary Institutions

Catholic University of East Africa

KCA University

St. Paul’s University

Nyandarua National Polytechnic