NTSA mounts countrywide road checks as schools reopen

The National Transport and Safety Authority has since morning been carrying out road safety compliance checks on highways across the country.

The move is aimed at enhancing safety on the roads as learners start reporting to schools ahead of Monday's delayed reopening. 

Police and the road safety authority impounded several vehicles on various routes in the crackdown aimed at ensuring the full compliance of road safety measures.

Random drunk driving tests were also conducted as part of the checks.

In a notice, NTSA emphasised the need to maintain speed limits, lane discipline and avoiding driving while under the influence of alcohol.

“Pamoja tuhakikishe watoto wetu wamefika shuleni salama,” NTSA said.

Among the major highways where the agency has mounted checks are Mombasa-Nairobi, Narok-Nairobi, Sotik-Kisii, Kimilil-Chwele and Kisii-Migori.

The operation started on Friday and is set to continue throughout next week.

Traffic police and officers from the authority are jointly conducting the operation.

Along the Kisii-Sotik road, officers impounded a school bus which had defective speed limiter and defective seat belts.

The vehicle also had faded chevron and reflectors and expired road service licence (RSL).

“School transport like all public service vehicles must comply with traffic rules,” NTSA said.

Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, in a post, also urged motorists to avoid speeding and reminded Kenyans and road users that road safety is a collective responsibility.

“I urge all road users to demonstrate their love and gratitude to our mothers by adhering to traffic rules so that all the young people reach school safely,” he said on X.

President William Ruto recently directed the traffic police and the NTSA to work together to enhance road safety.

Ruto acknowledged that for a long time, there has been a disconnect and competition between the two agencies in terms of enforcement of traffic rules, something he blamed for the failure to achieve the desired results.

Speaking during the launch of the National Road Safety Action Plan 2024-28, Ruto told the Inspector General of Police and the NTSA director general to ensure the collaboration is effected immediately.

“Mr IG, Mr DG, please, I expect greater collaboration so that we can see results coming down,” he said.

He also emphasised the need for the public and other road users to participate fully in ensuring safety on the roads.

The National Road Safety Action Plan 2024-28 aims at bringing the number of accidents down by 50 per cent.