The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has directed school administrators to strictly adhere to an eight-point safety checklist for learner transport as schools prepare to reopen next week.
The advisory, issued under the regulator’s Operation Watoto Wafike Salama campaign, places responsibility squarely on institutions to guarantee that children travel safely to and from school.
“As schools prepare to reopen, all school administrators are urged to ensure that their transport vehicles are roadworthy and compliant with safety regulations,” NTSA said in a public notice.
The checklist requires schools to use only roadworthy vehicles, hire qualified drivers, and ensure that buses are fitted with functional safety belts. Administrators have also been instructed to supervise drivers closely, confirm that speed limiters are operational, and ensure that drivers and conductors are not under the influence of alcohol.
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Additionally, NTSA directed that school transport vehicles must follow designated routes, warning that deviations could expose learners to unnecessary risks. “Our children need to get to school safely,” the authority emphasised.
The directive comes as thousands of learners prepare to return to class, a period that typically sees increased traffic involving school buses and vans across the country. Road safety has remained a pressing concern in Kenya, with past incidents involving school transport prompting renewed calls for stricter enforcement of regulations.
In recent years, NTSA has intensified inspections targeting public service vehicles and school buses, focusing on compliance with speed governors, driver qualifications, and vehicle condition. The latest advisory reinforces preventive measures rather than reactive enforcement, signalling a shift towards proactive road safety management.
Education stakeholders have often been urged to take greater responsibility in safeguarding learners, particularly where private transport arrangements are involved. NTSA has previously warned that failure to comply with safety standards could result in penalties, including withdrawal of operating licences.
The campaign focuses on protecting young passengers, who are considered among the most vulnerable road users. The authority has also called for cooperation between school management, parents, and transport providers to ensure that safety measures are consistently observed.
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NTSA noted that monitoring driver behaviour is critical, particularly during long-distance travel, where fatigue and reckless driving have previously contributed to accidents. With increased movement expected in the coming days, the regulator has indicated that compliance checks and enforcement operations will be stepped up to ensure adherence to the guidelines.
By Masaki Enock
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