NAIROBI, Kenya — The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has issued a sweeping safety directive to motorists, public transport operators, school administrators, and parents ahead of the reopening of schools, warning against exposing children to unsafe and non-compliant vehicles.
In a statement released on Tuesday, December 30, the transport regulator said thousands of learners will be travelling back to school in the coming days, making child road safety a shared responsibility for all road users.
“In just a few days, thousands of children will be heading back to school. Private motorists, public transport operators, school administrators, and parents or guardians all share a significant responsibility in safeguarding the safety of our children during this busy season,” NTSA said.
The authority urged motorists to strictly observe traffic rules, plan journeys in advance, and avoid night travel, citing reduced visibility and heightened risks following the long holiday break.
NTSA stressed that vehicle owners must ensure that any vehicle used to transport children is roadworthy and fully compliant with the law, including having valid insurance, road service licences, and inspection certificates.
In a pointed warning to parents and guardians, the authority cautioned against allowing children to board vehicles that do not meet safety standards, saying past compliance checks had exposed serious defects in school transport vehicles.
“These include faulty or non-transmitting speed limiters, defective brakes, missing or faulty seat belts, unstable seats, and malfunctioning door locks, among other critical safety issues,” NTSA said.
“To further protect our children, we strongly appeal to parents and guardians: do not permit your children to board any non-compliant vehicles,” the authority added.
Motor vehicle owners were advised to use the remaining days before schools reopen to present their vehicles for mandatory annual inspection at NTSA inspection centres across the country.
The regulator also directed speed limiter vendors to ensure that all devices installed on vehicles comply fully with the KS 2295:2018 standard, including proper speed control, data storage and real-time transmission to NTSA systems.
“By adhering to these measures and working together, we can significantly reduce risks and ensure the safe return of our children to school,” NTSA said, noting that multi-agency road safety compliance checks will continue uninterrupted.
The directive forms part of NTSA’s wider festive season road safety campaign, which has seen the authority issue a series of alerts to motorists nationwide.
On Monday, December 30, NTSA warned drivers about heavy rainfall and foggy conditions affecting several parts of the country, saying reduced visibility and slippery roads had significantly increased the risk of accidents.
“We strongly urge drivers, motorcyclists, pedestrians and cyclists to exercise extreme caution,” the authority said, calling on road users to prioritise safety during adverse weather.
Earlier, on Sunday, December 29, NTSA launched a public awareness campaign highlighting the importance of wearing seat belts, describing it as one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce fatalities and serious injuries.
“Unrestrained occupants are 30 times more likely to be ejected from the vehicle in the event of a crash,” the authority warned.
NTSA has also flagged driver fatigue as a major contributor to road crashes, cautioning that it impairs reaction time, judgment and awareness.
“Fatigue kills, but you can stop it. If you are too tired, don’t drive. Just pull over and rest,” the regulator said.
As schools prepare to reopen, NTSA said sustained vigilance by motorists, parents and enforcement agencies will be critical in reducing road carnage and ensuring children travel safely to and from school.
