The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has intensified its efforts to ensure the safety of learners as schools reopen for the first term. In an ongoing crackdown, the NTSA impounded a school van in Nyeri and a bus in Tharaka Nithi for allegedly operating without valid insurance.
In a statement released on Wednesday, NTSA emphasized the grave risks posed by uninsured vehicles, particularly those ferrying schoolchildren. “Operating a school van without insurance is reckless and puts children’s lives at serious risk,” the statement read.
Efforts are currently underway to apprehend the driver of the impounded van in Nyeri, who remains at large. The crackdown is part of a nationwide campaign dubbed #WatotowafikeSalama, aimed at ensuring all learners reach their schools safely.
The NTSA reiterated that all vehicles used for transporting children must meet stringent safety and compliance standards. These include valid insurance, roadworthiness, functional speed limiters that transmit data to NTSA’s Intelligent Road Safety Management System (IRSMS), and inspection certificates.
“All vehicles used for school transport must also have valid Road Service Licenses and be inspected regularly to ensure they meet safety requirements,” the authority stated.
In addition to vehicle compliance, the NTSA called on parents, school administrators, and motorists to prioritize the safety of learners. It urged parents to avoid using non-compliant public service vehicles for transporting their children and reminded motorists to exercise caution during the increased traffic of school-bound vehicles.
“Adhering to the Highway Code, reducing speed, and remaining cautious is crucial to ensure the well-being of our children,” NTSA added.
The safety authority also highlighted its key checks during the crackdown, which include verifying roadworthiness, ensuring functional speed limiters, checking for valid driver’s licenses and PSV badges, and ensuring that vehicles are not overloaded or have passengers hanging from the sides.
This safety initiative underscores NTSA’s commitment to preventing road accidents and safeguarding the lives of young learners as they resume their education.
