Nairobi: The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has announced that it has identified 315,000 public service and commercial vehicles that are operating illegally, as they lack valid inspection certificates. With schools set to reopen on August 25 for the third term, NTSA has issued a strict warning to all school transport providers instructing them to make sure their vehicles are mechanically sound and safe for carrying children.
According to Kenya News Agency, this announcement follows escalating concerns about road safety in recent weeks, with nearly 100 people having been killed in road accidents across the country. On Friday, NTSA Director General George Njau released a statement detailing several safety violations discovered during recent random compliance checks and vehicle inspections.
Njau stated that some school transport vehicles were found without speed limiters, a violation of KS 2295:2018 standards. Others had limiters that were either faulty or expired. Additionally, he noted that some installed limiters were not transmitting crucial data to the NTSA Intelligent Road Safety Management System.
The authority also raised concerns about the interior and exterior condition of some school transport vehicles, pointing out that many vehicles had worn-out upholstery, unstable cushions, and seats with torn or jagged edges. Some vehicles also had malfunctioning door locks and faulty sliding rails.
Furthermore, some vehicles had missing or defective seat belts and poor seat anchorage, failing to meet KS 372:2019 standards. Other safety concerns identified included a lack of anti-roll bars and missing Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) plates. Several major mechanical risks, such as corroded chassis, defective steering systems, and worn-out suspension components, were also mentioned.
The director urged vehicle owners to perform routine maintenance and service of their vehicles to identify and fix any potential problems. Regarding inspections, he urged law enforcement to utilize the free NTSA mobile app to verify the validity of inspection certificates and take appropriate action. He urged members of the public not to board or allow school children to be transported in unroadworthy vehicles, emphasizing that road safety remained a shared responsibility.