NTSA Reveals Suspending 288 Driving Licences Ahead Of Crackdown
NTSA also confirmed that 420 drivers were subjected to a driver retest.
Marvin Chege 
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has revealed that it suspended 288 driving licences in the past six months.
In a statement on Friday, April 4, NTSA also confirmed that 420 drivers were subjected to a driver retest.
These developments follow public reports of driver misconduct, speed violations recorded on the NTSA Intelligent Road Safety Management System (IRSMS), findings from safety compliance audits conducted on Public Service transport Operators and court outcomes.
This is as the authority announced a crackdown aimed at reducing road accidents during Easter celebrations and school holidays, emphasising that closely monitoring children and ensuring the use of safe vehicles will be key in preventing accidents.
A fleet of school buses in Kenya. /TRACK N TRACE
"As school children travel home for the holidays, there is an urgent need for all players within the road transport sector to put measures in place to ensure their safe passage. Close supervision of children and the identification of safe vehicles to transport them will play a critical role in ensuring their safety," stated NTSA in part.
"In the past, the country witnessed cases of reckless driving, distractions by students and unfortunately, some of the incidents led to fatal and serious injuries. Through close collaboration with law enforcement, parents/guardians, school management, transport service providers and school children, such incidents can be prevented."
Detailing the crackdown, NTSA announced that it will be working with the National Police Service (NPS) during this period and the Easter festivities, with a major focus on driver/conductor behavior, vehicle safety compliance and Usalama Barabarani education.
All motorists have therefore been required to practice road safety and take responsibility for their actions.
"To this end, we urge all road users to remain vigilant, exercise caution and report incidents of dangerous driving to the Police," added NTSA.
This statement comes after Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o directed that police officers immediately commence investigations into a road accident that claimed the lives of four people, three pupils included.
The governor on Wednesday, April 2, responded to reports that surfaced in the morning of the terrible road accident when a matatu ferrying students of Ober Boys Boarding School in Homa Bay County to Kisumu crashed into a lorry at Kibwon, in Nyakach Sub County, killing three of the students and leaving 19 others injured.
The conductor of the ill-fated vehicle also died in the accident that occurred a few kilometers from Sondu Township.
Also on Wednesday, a speeding private car hit five students from Mbita Boys High School in Mbita town, Homa Bay County, as they were on their way home for the April holidays.
Witnesses reported that the vehicle was moving dangerously fast, suggesting the driver may have been intoxicated. Sadly, two of the students passed away while undergoing treatment.
