Murkomen Suspends Retesting Of Drivers Hours To Wednesday Protests

Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen on Tuesday, July 11 suspended the mandatory re-testing of Public Service Vehicles (PSV) until September 1, 2023.

In a statement, the CS explained that the suspension was a result of the formation of a multi-agency committee which will review grievances raised by PSV drivers and conductors.

Also agreed was that the committee will hand in the names of officials representing all the industry players by August 1, 2023.

"Towards this end, the Ministry and the stakeholders have agreed on the formation of a multi-agency committee that will among others review the grievances raised by the drivers and conductors, a copy of which has been submitted to my office today 11th July 2023 at 3.00 pm.

Students taken through a model town board at a driving school. /YOUTUBE

"We have agreed as well that they shall submit the names of the officials representing ALL the industry players by 1st August 2023. The exercise will take 14 days and the report with recommendations submitted for further decision-making," read the statement in part.

To allow the committee time to address the concerns, the re-testing of drivers was suspended with immediate effect.

"Taking note of the above, I hereby halt the retesting of drivers until 1st September 2023 to give the multi-agency committee time to address the rising concerns," Murkomen added.

Murkomen's announcement came hours to the expiry of a 21-day strike notice over the mandatory re-testing exercise conducted by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) on Wednesday, July 12, after which matatu operators would participate in protests.

The PSVs, who were backed by long-distance drivers and boda boda operators, argued that the re-test was punitive and out to frustrate motorists.

"The association calls for constructive dialogue between the Ministry of Transport, the NTSA, and stakeholders to address concerns and find mutually beneficial solutions that prioritise safety while supporting driver's well-being," read part of a statement by the Long-Distance Drivers and Conductors Association (LODDCA).

The PSV operators sought to be involved in the decision-making process to help in improving the transport sector. 

Driver Retesting Process

Effective June 1, the drivers are to go for a retest as a prerequisite for the renewal of their driving license at a driving school of their choice. The re-test fee was set at Ksh1,050 and shall be conducted at NTSA Driver Test Units.

The results of the re-test are uploaded and verified through the driver’s account within 24 hours of administration. It affects motorists licensed to drive for class endorsements B3, D1, D2, D3, C, C1, CE, and CD.

The CS noted that the Ministry of Transport decided to adopt the retesting of drivers to cut down on the rising number of road traffic fatalities in the country which had increased annually from 2017 to 2022.

In 2017, 2,919 fatalities were recorded as opposed to 2022's statistics which included 4,690. In 2023, the current data stands at 2,318 fatalities.

Since NTSA conducted the retesting process, 1,847 PSV drivers completed the exam with a 31 per cent average pass rate. This mainly involved re-testing of PSV drivers including drivers of school transportation.

In Nairobi, 297 drivers passed while 581 did not meet the requisite threshold. In Mombasa County, 80 drivers achieved the pass rate while 70 failed, whereas in Thika, Kiambu County, 50 PSV drivers successfully completed the process while 179 failed.