After of spate road accidents that claimed close to 100 people over the past one month, National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) says only motorists whose vehicles are compliant with the road safety standards will be allowed to ferry students back to schools upon resumption of learning.

The authority has warned that drivers and owners of vehicles involved in school transport who were either in breach of regulations or failed to turn up for inspection would be subjected to criminal prosecution.

NTSA Nakuru Regional Manager John Parteroi warned parents against booking their children on un-roadworthy vehicles.

“Additionally, we request members of the public not to board or allow school children to be transported in un-roadworthy vehicles,” he said.

Parteroi noted that school vehicles transporting children are restricted to operate between 6am and 7pm adding that the National Police Service and the NTSA will heighten night enforcement and random checks along major highways, with a major focus on blackspots.

He spoke in Nakuru after school transport vehicles benefited from free inspections at all NTSA centres in the devolved unit that allowed school vehicle owners and institutions to have their vehicles assessed for safety and receive guidance on corrective measures to ensure the well-being of schoolchildren on the roads.

The initiative dubbed “Operation Watoto Wafike Salama is part of NTSA’s broader effort to reduce accidents involving school buses and foster a culture of road safety in Kenya.

“We are making a safety assessment to guide motor vehicle owners and schools on corrective measures to take in order to ensure the safety of all our children. We also urge all public service vehicles (PSVs) owners to ensure that their vehicles adhere to road safety standards as children head back to school,” the regional manager pointed out.

Parteroi disclosed that the authority had issued a checklist that drivers and conductors of PSVs should follow to ensure that all vehicles carrying children are safe, well-maintained and compliant with road safety laws.

Among the items on the list is ensuring that the vehicle is roadworthy and has a valid inspection certificate, road service license (RSL) and insurance. The authority also advised drivers and conductors to ensure that all vehicle parts, including the brakes, tyres, lights and wing mirrors, are in working order.

Additionally, drivers should ensure that their vehicle’s speed governors are working and transmitting data to the authority’s Intelligent Road Safety Management System (IRSMS), to help monitor the vehicle speed in real time.

The government has further proposed the Traffic (School Transport) Rules, 2025, aimed at professionalising and regulating the transportation of school-going children.

This will be done through establishing a licensing framework for school transport providers and vehicles, prescribing safety standards such as seat belts and fire extinguishers, and setting qualification requirements for drivers and attendants.

Parteroi explained that the rules also prohibit the unauthorized use of school transport vehicles for private purposes and require distinct signage and markings to identify them.

Operation Watoto Wafike Salama clinics are aimed to identify potential risks and provide guidance to schools and vehicle owners on corrective measures.

“We will make a safety assessment to guide motor vehicle owners and schools on corrective measures to take in order to ensure the safety of all our children. Present your school transport vehicles for a free motor vehicle inspection clinic,” Parteroi said.

Other participating inspection centres in the country included the Likoni Road Centre in Nairobi as well as the authority’s locations in Mombasa, Kisii, Uasin Gishu, Nyahururu, Machakos, Voi, Kitale, Kakamega, Nyeri, Thika, Kisumu, Embu, Meru, Kericho and Garissa.

NTSA inspectors assessed the vehicles’ braking systems, tyres, seatbelts, lights and the general mechanical condition. Vehicle owners and schools will receive advice on any repairs or adjustments necessary to meet safety standards.

NTSA revealed that some school transport vehicles were operating without speed limiters, while others had expired or faulty gadgets that didn’t transmit data to the authority for monitoring.

Traffic (School Transport) Rules, 2025, provide a detailed framework for the safe and regulated transportation of school children. The rules set minimum safety standards for school vehicles, including seat belts, fire extinguishers, and telematics systems for monitoring.

Further, the rules define the qualifications and conduct of school drivers and attendants, outline approved boarding procedures and operating hours, and prohibit unauthorized use of school transport vehicles.

Clear guidelines on signage, colour coding, and school bus markings have also been included.

Nakuru County Traffic Enforcement Officer Allan Ogolla emphasised on licensing of all vehicles that operate as school transport vehicles and regular inspection of the vehicles to maintain them in good shape to avoid accidents.

Ogolla further observed that school principals and management play a key role in ensuring only qualified drivers and school vehicle attendants are hired as per the new rules and regulations.

The traffic enforcement officer backed a proposal by NTSA to install traceable speed governors on school transport vehicles to monitor the vehicle’s movements and operations.

“This will enable law enforcement agencies to check the vehicle’s operation history and condition and will make our school transport safer and more efficient,” Ogolla said.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Anne Mwale

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has affirmed that only motorists whose vehicles are compliant with the road safety standards will be allowed to ferry students back to schools upon resumption of learning. Credit: Dennis Rasto