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The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has released an eight-point safety checklist for schools ahead of next week’s reopening, urging strict adherence to protect students during transport.
In a public notice under its Operation Watoto Wafike Salama campaign, NTSA directed school administrators to ensure all vehicles used for transporting learners are roadworthy and comply with safety standards.
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The advisory comes as thousands of students prepare to return to school—a time that often sees a surge in traffic involving school buses and vans nationwide.
NTSA emphasized that institutions must only use well-maintained vehicles, employ qualified drivers, and ensure buses are equipped with safety belts. Schools were also instructed to closely monitor drivers, verify that speed limiters are working, and ensure drivers and conductors are sober at all times.
Additionally, the authority warned that school vehicles must stick to designated routes, noting that unnecessary deviations could put learners at risk.
The checklist forms part of NTSA’s broader efforts to curb road accidents involving schoolchildren, especially during peak travel periods like school opening days.
The regulator has consistently raised concerns over road safety in Kenya, particularly following past accidents involving school transport. It has since stepped up inspections focusing on vehicle condition, driver qualifications, and compliance with speed regulations.
Schools and other stakeholders have been urged to take greater responsibility for student safety, especially when using private transport arrangements. NTSA has cautioned that failure to meet safety standards could lead to penalties, including suspension of operating licences.
The latest directive places full responsibility on school management to ensure vehicles are properly maintained and that drivers strictly follow traffic laws.
Through the #WatotoWafikeSalama campaign—meaning “children should arrive safely”—NTSA continues to stress the need to protect young passengers, who are among the most vulnerable road users.
The authority also called for collaboration between schools, parents, and transport providers to ensure safety measures are consistently followed, highlighting the importance of monitoring driver behaviour, especially on long-distance trips where fatigue and reckless driving are common risks.
By issuing the checklist ahead of reopening, NTSA aims to promote preventive safety measures, with increased compliance checks and enforcement expected in the coming days.
Overall, the advisory underscores that keeping learners safe on the road is a shared responsibility requiring vigilance and strict adherence to transport regulations.
