The National Police Service (NPS) has rolled out a nationwide traffic enforcement and public awareness campaign aimed at reducing road accidents as schools close for the long holiday.
In a statement issued on Monday, October 19, the NPS said the exercise was being undertaken jointly with the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to improve road safety during the period when learners are travelling home.
The operation will focus on speeding, vehicle overloading, unroadworthy vehicles and failure to wear seat belts. School transport vehicles will also undergo comprehensive inspections to establish whether they meet the required safety standards.
“Accordingly, the National Police Service, in collaboration with the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), will intensify public sensitization and enforcement of traffic regulations nationwide, including those on speeding, unroadworthy vehicles, overloading and safety belt use, and will subject school transport vehicles to thorough inspection to confirm compliance with all safety standards,” the NPS stated.
The police service added that additional officers would be deployed across the country to strengthen traffic enforcement as increased movement of students raises the risk of accidents involving learners and other road users.
Motorists have been urged to adhere to prescribed speed limits, avoid driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and refrain from using mobile phones behind the wheel.
Separately, the NTSA called on school transport operators to conduct thorough mechanical checks before setting off, highlighting the importance of ensuring that vehicle lights, tyres and brakes are in good working condition.
Pedestrians and motorcyclists have also been reminded to observe traffic regulations, while parents and guardians have been advised to use reputable transport operators whose vehicles meet roadworthiness requirements.
“A roadworthy vehicle saves lives. To all back-to-school transporters: test your lights, inspect your tires, and service your brakes before hitting the road. Let’s get every student home and to school without incident,” the NTSA stated.
NTSA Raises Concerns Over Student Safety
The heightened enforcement comes amid the circulation of videos showing matatus popularly known as nganya allegedly speeding, with what appear to be high school students hanging out of their windows. Such incidents have renewed concerns about reckless driving and the risks learners face while travelling in public service vehicles.
Historical road safety data from the NTSA identify pedestrians as the largest group of road traffic fatalities in Kenya, placing schoolchildren at particular risk when crossing highways or walking to and from school.
The authority's assessments indicate that a child hit by a vehicle travelling at 30 kilometres per hour faces a 10 per cent risk of dying. The risk rises to more than 80 per cent when the vehicle is travelling at 50 kilometres per hour.
The figures underscore the importance of enforcing speed limits, particularly in areas frequented by children, and ensuring that motorists exercise caution around schools and pedestrian crossings.
Existing Measures to Protect Learners
The NTSA has introduced several initiatives to strengthen road safety during school travel periods. Among them is the Pumzisha Mboka campaign, which restricts school buses from operating before 6am or after 6pm. The authority has also issued warnings against allowing children to lean or protrude from moving vehicles.
In addition, the NTSA has been promoting safer school environments through its Safe Roads, Bright Futures project at Mwangaza Comprehensive School in Kayole.
The initiative features speed bumps and designated pathways designed around a speed limit of 30 kilometres per hour to reduce the risk of collisions involving learners.
The latest nationwide campaign seeks to reinforce these measures through increased police presence, vehicle inspections and public sensitisation as families travel during the school holiday.
Authorities have urged all road users to exercise caution and comply with traffic regulations to minimise preventable accidents and ensure learners reach their destinations safely.
