The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has stepped up enforcement of road safety measures targeting school transport as learners resume classes across the country.
Under the ongoing Operation Watoto Wafike Salama, the authority has directed all school transport operators to present their vehicles for mandatory inspection, as part of efforts to reduce accidents and ensure the safety of children.
“All school transport operators are expected to present their fleets for inspection to confirm that the vehicles are mechanically sound and safe for transporting children,” NTSA said in a statement.
Strict Compliance Measures for Schools and Operators
The regulator has placed responsibility not only on transport providers but also on school administrations to ensure full compliance with safety standards.
Schools have been instructed to verify that all vehicles used to ferry students are fitted with functional seat belts, compliant speed limiters, and are operated by qualified drivers. In addition, strict adherence to designated routes has been emphasized to minimise risk.
NTSA also raised concern over driver discipline, warning against negligence and stressing that all personnel involved in student transport must maintain sobriety at all times.
Multi-Agency Enforcement Across Key Routes
The renewed crackdown will see the deployment of multi-agency teams, including traffic police and other enforcement officers, along major highways and known school transport corridors.
The operation is part of broader efforts under the National Road Safety Action Plan (2024–2028), which prioritises preventive enforcement, improved vehicle standards, and behavioural compliance among road users.
Authorities say the back-to-school period is historically associated with increased road risks, making enforcement crucial at this time.
Recent Fatal Crash Raises Alarm
The intensified campaign comes in the wake of a tragic road accident along the Narok–Mai Mahiu highway, where seven people lost their lives after a trailer reportedly lost control and collided with an oncoming vehicle.
According to NTSA, preliminary findings suggest mechanical failure may have contributed to the crash, raising fresh concerns about vehicle maintenance standards on Kenyan roads.
“We assure the public that we are working closely with the National Police Service to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances that led the driver to lose control,” the authority said.
Focus on Prevention and Accountability
Road safety experts have consistently identified mechanical issues, driver fatigue, and weak enforcement as leading causes of accidents in Kenya.
NTSA says findings from ongoing investigations will guide future interventions aimed at addressing these risk factors, particularly in high-traffic corridors such as the Narok–Mai Mahiu route.
The authority has warned that any vehicle found non-compliant during inspections will not be allowed to operate, underscoring the seriousness of the directive.
Shared Responsibility for Children’s Safety
The agency has reiterated that ensuring the safety of school-going children is a shared responsibility among regulators, schools, transport operators, and law enforcement agencies.
As inspections roll out nationwide, NTSA expects full cooperation, noting that strict enforcement will remain in place throughout the school term.
Officials maintain that the success of Operation Watoto Wafike Salama will depend on coordinated action and sustained vigilance to protect young lives on Kenya’s roads.
