By Steve El Sabai
Automobile Association (AA) Kenya has recognised individuals, companies and institutions making significant contributions to road safety at the 2026 Road Safety Excellence Awards, with corporate leadership, traffic enforcement, sustainable mobility and community engagement among the categories honoured.
The awards gala, held at Serena Hotel in Nairobi, brought together government officials, corporate leaders, civil society organisations and transport sector representatives to celebrate road safety initiatives and renew calls for stronger collaboration to reduce road crashes and save lives.
AA Kenya Group Managing Director Francis Theuri urged public and private sector stakeholders to sustain investments in road safety awareness, promote responsible road use and implement practical interventions to protect motorists, passengers and other road users.
“We must sustain our investment in road safety awareness, promote responsible road use, and execute practical interventions to reduce crashes and save lives across Kenya,” Theuri said.
The ceremony was attended by Italy’s Ambassador to Kenya, Vincenzo Del Monaco, who served as chief guest, and Kenya Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer June Chepkemoi. Representatives of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), Kenya Red Cross Society, Kenyatta National Hospital and TotalEnergies also attended.
The awards recognised achievements across multiple sectors, highlighting the role of businesses, public institutions, transport operators, emergency response organisations and community-based initiatives in promoting safer mobility.
TotalEnergies Marketing Kenya PLC emerged the top winner in the Best Corporate in Road Safety category, followed by British American Tobacco Kenya PLC in second place and Finlay’s Tea Extracts Kenya in third.
Professor Isaiah I. C. Wakindiki, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer of KCA University, won the CEO of the Year in Road Safety award. Habel Amakobe of Pioneer Road Safety Consultants and Milad Atef of Egypro East Africa Limited were the other leading award recipients in the category.
Clive Mwangovya Gari was named Road Safety Champion of the Year, with Dr David Karuri and Naisula Lesuuda also recognised among the leading nominees.
In the traffic enforcement category, Machera Caleb of Nakuru East, Corporal Hecky Odiwuor Opollo of Makuyu and Elizabeth Vivi, Regional Traffic Enforcement Officer for the Central Region, received recognition under the Traffic Police Leadership Award.
Britam General Insurance Company won the Insurance Company of the Year award, followed by Directline Assurance Company Limited.
In the sustainable mobility category, Africa Smart Mobility Solutions Kenya Limited, operating under the SPIRO brand, took first place in the Sustainable Mobility and Electric Vehicle Champion category. Kenya Power and Lighting Company PLC and KenGen followed in second and third positions, respectively.
The media and community categories highlighted the contribution of communication, emergency response and grassroots engagement to road safety awareness.
Sikika Road Safety led the Best Media in Road Safety category, followed by She Can Drive Kenya and John Tumaini Ministry.
The Kenya Red Cross Society secured two awards, winning the Logistics Institution Award ahead of Kenya Forest Service and Lilwa Delivery, as well as the Community Engagement Award ahead of Roadcruza Tyres and Checkmate Afya Wellness Initiative.
In education, Braeburn Group emerged the leading educational institution, followed by KCA University and The Kisumu National Polytechnic.
Kinatwa SACCO Society Limited won the Public Service Vehicle SACCO category, while Juja Sub-County Bodaboda Association topped the Boda Boda category, recognising the role of organised transport operators in promoting responsible road use.
Bamburi Cement Limited received the Road Safety Innovation Award, while Kenya Forest Service led the Driver Safety and Wellness category. CFAO Mobility Kenya emerged the winner in the Automotive Workshop and Garage category.
The range of award categories reflected the importance of coordinated action across the transport ecosystem, from corporate safety policies and driver training to emergency response, vehicle maintenance, public education and the adoption of sustainable mobility solutions.
AA Kenya reaffirmed its commitment to continued road safety advocacy, stakeholder partnerships and the promotion of responsible driving habits nationwide.
Theuri’s call for sustained investment underscored the need to translate recognition into practical interventions, with government agencies, private companies, transport operators and individual road users sharing responsibility for preventing crashes.
Through the annual awards, AA Kenya seeks to recognise initiatives making a difference while encouraging more organisations and individuals to strengthen their contribution to safer roads across the country.
