Road traffic crashes continue to constitute a global health crisis, the consequences of which are disproportionately felt in low and middle-income countries (LMICs).

The rapid growth in motorcycle taxis in sub-Saharan Africa makes up a growing proportion of the total number of road traffic fatalities and serious injuries, particularly in urban areas. In Kenya, 35% of road traffic fatalities were linked to motorcycle use in 2023 but despite this, helmet prevalence remains low.

Kenya is one of the only countries in East Africa with a gazetted national helmet standard. However, since its introduction in 2012, it has struggled to enforce the standard in part due to the fact that there is no helmet testing facility in Kenya. In 2021, Transaid launched a project to establish the Kenyan National Helmet Wearing Coalition, which brings together key stakeholders from multiple sectors to contribute collaboratively to improving motorcycle safety for riders and their pillion passengers. Members include representatives from government agencies, civil society organisations and the private sector, as well as motorcycle rider associations who provide the voices of riders.

Since its launch, more than 20 organisations and agencies have regularly met to discuss new ways of working towards improving motorcycle safety. To date, outputs include a new training manual and 13 trainers trained, three pilot projects aimed at strengthening enforcement of the Kenyan helmet standard, and in March 2024, new research was published which for the first time in Kenya investigates the health costs of motorcycle crashes. The ‘Fare Price Report’ equips riders and safety practitioners alike with the means to advocate government for improved enforcement, as well as stimulate dialogue across the East African Community towards a regional approach to motorcycle helmet safety.

Off the back of the Coalition’s success in advocating for the inclusion of a target linked to establishing a helmet testing laboratory in the new National Road Safety Action Plan (2024–2027), the Coalition is now working with the Kenyan Bureau of Standards and the National Transport and Safety Authority, to secure funding to establish a testing lab in order to stem the flow of sub-standard helmets entering Kenya.