The national government has unveiled comprehensive new regulations aimed at significantly enhancing the safety and professionalism of school transport across the nation.
Published in The Kenya Gazette on June 18, 2025, the proposed Traffic Rules, 2025, signal a major shift towards a more regulated and secure environment for school-going children.
Under the leadership of the Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport, these new rules are designed to create a robust framework for student transportation.
“The objective of the proposed Rules is to provide a comprehensive framework for the safe, professional, and regulated transportation of school-going children in Kenya.” the directive stated
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A cornerstone of the new legislation is the establishment of a rigorous licensing system for all school transport providers and their vehicles, ensuring that only approved entities operate in this critical sector.
A key focus of the rules is on mandating minimum safety standards for school vehicles. This includes requirements for essential safety equipment such as seat belts for every child, readily accessible fire extinguishers, and the integration of telematics systems.
These systems are expected to provide real-time monitoring of vehicle movement and driver behaviour, thereby increasing accountability and allowing for swift intervention in case of deviations from set protocols.
Furthermore, the new regulations delve into the human element of school transport, defining strict qualification standards for school drivers and attendants.
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This move is aimed at professionalizing the roles, ensuring that individuals responsible for transporting children possess the necessary skills, training, and temperament. The rules also outline operational protocols, including designated hours of operation and clear boarding and alighting procedures, to minimize risks during these vulnerable moments.
Perhaps most notably for schools, the rules explicitly prohibit the use of school transport vehicles for unauthorized private purposes unless a temporary license has been obtained, aiming to ensure dedicated use for student transportation.
Moreover, specific standards for signage, colour coding, and marking of school vehicles have been prescribed, making them easily identifiable and reinforcing their dedicated purpose.
To ensure compliance, the proposed rules introduce a clear system of offenses and penalties for non-adherence, alongside an appeal mechanism.
By Cornelius Korir
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