Nakuru: The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has declared that only vehicles meeting road safety standards will be permitted to transport students back to schools as learning resumes. The authority has issued a stern warning to drivers and vehicle owners involved in school transport who violate regulations or fail to present their vehicles for inspection, stating that they will face criminal charges.
According to Kenya News Agency, NTSA Nakuru Regional Manager Mr. John Parteroi has advised parents against booking unroadworthy vehicles for their children. "Additionally, we request members of the public not to board or allow school children to be transported in unroadworthy vehicles," Parteroi emphasized. He noted that school vehicles are restricted to operating between 6 am and 7 pm, and the NTSA, in collaboration with the National Police Service, will intensify night enforcement and conduct random checks on major highways, with a focus on accident-prone areas.
Mr. Parteroi made these remarks in Nakuru following a free inspection initiative for school transport vehicles at NTSA centers. This initiative allows vehicle owners and institutions to have their vehicles assessed for safety, ensuring the well-being of schoolchildren on roads. The program, known as 'Operation Watoto Wafike Salama,' is part of NTSA's comprehensive efforts to reduce school bus-related accidents and promote road safety in Kenya.
NTSA has provided a checklist for drivers and conductors of Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) to ensure that all vehicles carrying children are safe and compliant with road safety laws. This includes verifying the vehicle's roadworthiness, possessing a valid inspection certificate, road service license (RSL), and insurance. Furthermore, vehicle parts such as brakes, tyres, lights, and wing mirrors must be in proper working condition. Drivers are also required to ensure their speed governors are operational and transmitting data to NTSA's Intelligent Road Safety Management System (IRSMS) for real-time speed monitoring.
Additionally, the government has proposed the Traffic (School Transport) Rules, 2025, to professionalize and regulate school transport. These rules aim to establish a licensing framework for school transport providers and vehicles, prescribe safety standards like seat belts and fire extinguishers, and set qualifications for drivers and attendants. Unauthorized use of school transport vehicles for private purposes is prohibited, and distinct signage and markings for these vehicles are mandatory.
The 'Operation Watoto Wafike Salama' clinics aim to identify potential risks and provide corrective guidance to schools and vehicle owners. Mr. Parteroi encouraged presenting school transport vehicles for free inspection, highlighting participating centers across the country, including locations in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisii, and more.
NTSA's inspections have revealed some school transport vehicles lacking speed limiters or equipped with faulty devices that fail to transmit monitoring data. The Traffic (School Transport) Rules, 2025, provide a comprehensive framework for safe school transport, detailing minimum safety standards, driver qualifications, boarding procedures, and operating hours.
Nakuru County Traffic Enforcement Officer Mr. Allan Ogolla stressed the importance of licensing school transport vehicles and conducting regular inspections to maintain safety standards. He highlighted the crucial role of school management in hiring qualified drivers and attendants per the new regulations. Mr. Ogolla supported NTSA's proposal to install traceable speed governors on school transport vehicles, which would facilitate monitoring vehicle movements and ensure efficient operation. "This will enable law enforcement agencies to check the vehicle's operation history and condition, making our school transport safer and more efficient," stated Mr. Ogolla.