The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has issued a road safety advisory urging heightened vigilance as learners travel home for the April holiday season.
In a statement released on Thursday, April 3, 2025, NTSA emphasized the importance of using safe, compliant vehicles to transport learners, calling on all stakeholders in the transport sector to implement measures ensuring the safe travel of school children.
“Close supervision of children and the identification of safe vehicles to transport them will play a critical role in ensuring their safety,” the statement reads in part.
The authority highlighted past incidents where reckless driving and distractions by students led to fatal and serious injuries stressing, that such incidents can be prevented through collaboration among all stakeholders.
“Through close collaboration with law enforcement, parents, school management, transport service providers, and school children, such incidents can be prevented,” the statement read.
Measures taken
As part of ongoing enforcement measures to curb road accidents, NTSA revealed that in the last six months, it had suspended 288 driving licenses and required 420 drivers to undergo retesting.
These actions were prompted by reports of driver misconduct, speed violations recorded on the NTSA Intelligent Road Safety Management System (IRSMS), and findings from compliance audits on public transport operators.
In its road safety enforcement efforts, NTSA is working closely with the National Police Service to monitor driver and conductor behaviour, vehicle safety compliance, and public awareness under the Usalama Barabarani program.
“During this period and the Easter festivities, there will be a major focus on ensuring road safety. All motorists are therefore required to practice caution and take responsibility for their actions,” the statement added.
NTSA further urged road users to remain vigilant and report any instances of dangerous driving to the police to prevent unnecessary loss of lives.
Kisumu accident
The advisory comes just a day after a tragic accident on the Kisumu-Kisii road claimed the lives of four individuals, including three pupils.
The three, who were Ober Boys’ Boarding Primary School pupils from Homa Bay County, were returning home for the holidays when a public service vehicle they were travelling in rammed into a stationary trailer at Kibuon, between Katito and Sondu townships.
The fourth victim was the matatu conductor, who also died at the scene.
Three other pupils sustained serious injuries and are receiving treatment at Nyabondo Mission Hospital, while others with minor injuries are also being treated at the same facility.
According to Nyanza Traffic Police boss Peter Maina, preliminary reports suggest the driver failed to avoid an obstruction, leading to the tragic crash.
“The area of the accident has a sharp bend, and the driver of the matatu, unaware of the trailer ahead, rammed into it, killing the four on the spot,” Maina said.
He added that investigations are underway to determine whether the matatu was overloaded at the time of the accident.
The bodies of the deceased have been moved to the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary in Kisumu.
Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o expressed his condolences to the bereaved families, calling for a thorough investigation.
“On behalf of the people of Kisumu County, I convey heartfelt condolences to teachers, pupils, and parents of Ober Boys Boarding School for this great loss of lives of the pupils who were travelling to their homes for the April holidays,” Nyong’o stated.
“I wish to appeal to the police to immediately launch detailed investigations into this accident to establish the cause and take appropriate action against individuals whose mistakes may have led to the crash,” he added.