NAIROBI, Kenya – Thirteen vehicles were detained during an overnight road safety operation along Nairobi’s Southern Bypass after an inter-agency enforcement team flagged multiple violations, including suspected drink-driving, expired driving licences and vehicles operating without valid insurance.
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) said the checks were conducted as part of its ongoing Msimu Bila Ajali, Usalama Barabarani campaign, which targets risky road behaviour through daytime and night-time inspections along major transport corridors.
According to the authority, officers identified several concerns involving both drivers and vehicles, prompting the detention of the 13 motor vehicles.
Drink-Driving, Expired Licences Among Violations
NTSA listed driving under the influence of alcohol and operating with expired driving licences among the concerns identified during the operation.
Vehicle-related violations included expired inspection stickers, lack of valid insurance, contravention of insurance terms, broken headlights and cracked windscreens.
The authority did not specify how many vehicles or drivers were linked to each violation, nor did it disclose the identities of those detained or the vehicles involved.
The findings underscore the range of compliance checks conducted during the campaign, which seeks to identify safety risks before they contribute to road crashes.
Why NTSA Is Targeting Night Travel
NTSA says night-time inspections are a key part of the campaign because reduced visibility and risky driving behaviour can increase danger on the roads.
The checks also cover speeding, speed limiter functionality, driver documentation, passenger capacity and the documentation required for public service vehicles.
For long-distance public transport operators, officers may examine passenger manifests, driver logs to assess driving hours, route compliance, Road Service Licences and inspection stickers.
The campaign also includes breathalyser screening and checks on seatbelt use, with NTSA urging drivers and passengers to observe safety requirements throughout their journeys.
NTSA Issues Warning on Fake Speeding Messages
Alongside the enforcement campaign, the authority has cautioned motorists that speed violation notifications are issued exclusively through SMS sender ID NTSA.
Drivers have been advised not to respond to suspicious messages from numbers claiming to represent the authority and to report suspected scams.
Motorists are also encouraged to use NTSA’s Intelligent Road Safety Management System portal to link their vehicles to licensed speed limiter vendors and verify compliance requirements.
Motorists Urged to Cooperate at Checkpoints
NTSA has urged motorists approaching designated checkpoints to slow down and cooperate with officers, while maintaining safe driving practices during night journeys.
The authority advises drivers to reduce speed, increase following distances and remain focused on the road, particularly where darkness limits visibility.
