NTSA director general George Njao. /HANDOUTAs schools across the country prepare to reopen for the third term on August 25, the National Transport and Safety Authority has issued a stern warning to all school transport operators to ensure vehicles carrying children are safe and mechanically sound.
This comes amid rising concerns over road safety, with the country having recorded nearly 50 fatalities in road accidents over the past week alone.
In a statement on Friday, NTSA director general George Njao highlighted a series of safety lapses identified during random compliance checks and vehicle inspections.
“Some school transport vehicles had not installed speed limiters, while others operated with non-serviced or expired speed limiters, contrary to the requirements of KS 2295:2018,” he said.
“We also noted that some of the installed speed limiters did not transmit data to the NTSA Intelligent Road Safety Management System.”
The authority also raised alarms over the interior and exterior conditions of some school transport vehicles.
Njao noted that several vehicles featured “worn-out upholstery, unstable cushions, torn or jagged seat edges, malfunctioning door locks, and faulty sliding rails.”
He added that some vehicles lacked seat belts or had defective buckles, while others failed to meet KS 372:2019 standards, with poor seat anchorage, missing anti-roll bars, or absent Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) plates.
Corroded chassis, defective steering systems, and worn-out suspension components were also cited as major risks.
“We urge motor vehicle owners to perform routine maintenance and service their vehicles to identify and address potential problems. This will help minimise the risk of a road traffic crash caused by mechanical failures.”
Njao said the NTSA has flagged 315,000 public service and commercial vehicles operating without valid motor vehicle inspection certificates, and all owners have been notified to take immediate corrective measures.
He called on law enforcement officers to use the free NTSA mobile App to verify the validity of inspection certificates and take necessary action.
"Additionally, we request members of the public not to board or allow school children to be transported in unroadworthy vehicles," he said.
“Road safety is a shared responsibility,” Njao stressed.
The authority’s warning serves as a stark reminder that vigilance and adherence to vehicle safety standards are crucial to preventing further tragedies on Kenyan roads.
