NAIROBI, Kenya — School buses will no longer be allowed on Kenyan roads before 6 am or after 6 pm as the government tightens measures to protect learners from road carnage.
The directive follows a surge in deadly accidents that authorities have described as a national road safety crisis.
At least 31 people died in road accidents within the first six days of January 2026 alone, according to the National Police Service.
Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura announced the restriction, citing heightened safety and security risks during early morning and late evening travel.
“This measure is intended to safeguard learners, as early morning and late evening travel significantly increases safety and security risks,” Mwaura said.
The government said poor visibility and driver fatigue make these hours particularly dangerous for school transport.
The ban comes amid rising fatalities on major highways across the country.
Between late December 2025 and January 6, 2026, more than 40 people lost their lives in major road crashes. On January 5, nine people, including two children, died in a pre-dawn collision involving a Greenline bus and a Nissan matatu on the Nairobi–Nakuru highway.
A day later, six people were killed and 46 others injured after a Uwezo Sacco bus crashed into a trailer on the Londiani–Muhoroni road in Kericho County.
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) reported 4,458 road deaths in 2025, up from 4,311 in 2024.
Authorities attribute most crashes to human error. They include speeding, reckless driving, driver fatigue and drunk driving.
The government has urged Kenyans to report reckless motorists to the NTSA hotline on 0709 932 000 or submit photos and videos through NTSA social media platforms. Multi-agency teams have launched a nationwide crackdown targeting speeding, drunk driving, and traffic violations at accident black spots.
NTSA has also introduced mandatory retesting for drivers caught flouting traffic laws.
Officials say the measures aim to reverse the rising death toll and restore discipline on Kenyan roads. The government warned that enforcement will be strict and sustained.
Authorities said learner safety remains a top priority as schools continue transport operations across the country.
