Designate a sober driver or use a taxi, NTSA urges Kenyans as festive season peaks

Police conduct a comprehensive road safety and drug inspection campaign in Kitengela, December 21, 2025. /NPS

The National Transport and Safety Authority has urged Kenyans to exercise caution as festive travel peaks, particularly where celebrations involve moving from one location to another by vehicle.

In a public advisory issued as Christmas approaches and travel volumes surge, the authority cautioned motorists against speeding or driving under the influence of alcohol and advised those planning to drink to make prior arrangements for safe transport.

"As a driver, you are not just operating a vehicle. You are providing a public service. Your passengers entrust you with their lives when they board your vehicle, relying on your skill, judgment and adherence to safety standards," NTSA said.

With just four days to Christmas Day, thousands of Kenyans have begun travelling upcountry as many companies wind down operations to allow employees time with their families.

Bus termini in major towns are bustling, with transport operators cashing in on the seasonal rush by hiking fares amid heightened demand for long-distance travel.

The demand has been so intense that some matatu saccos licensed for town services have acquired temporary long-distance permits in a bid to tap into the holiday market and ease pressure on stranded passengers.

On the Nairobi–Meru route, fares that typically range between Sh500 and Sh700 were going for about Sh1,000, while tickets on the Nairobi–Eldoret route were selling at between Sh2,000 and Sh2,600, up from the usual Sh1,300, depending on the sacco.

NTSA’s concern, however, extends beyond highways to urban settings, where club hopping, house parties and late-night social gatherings are a hallmark of the festive season.

Scenarios in which friends or family carpool between multiple entertainment spots through the night are common, often with little regard for personal and public safety.

In the absence of alcoblow checks on some major highways, the temptation to get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol remains high, a decision NTSA warns could end tragically.

“This is a reminder to drivers: let us all prioritise safety. Never drink and drive. Simply designate a sober driver or use a taxi,” NTSA said, using the hashtags #UsalamaBarabarani and #HarakatiZanguUsalamaWangu to amplify its road safety message.Police conduct road safety compliance checks as travel peaks ahead of the festive season, December 20, 2025. /NTSA

Alcohol, even in small amounts, impairs judgement, coordination, vision and reaction time by slowing brain function, increasing risk-taking and reducing alertness.

It also creates a false sense of confidence, leading drivers to believe they are in control when their ability to steer, brake and detect hazards is significantly compromised.

As blood alcohol concentration rises, these critical driving skills decline sharply, exposing drivers, passengers and other road users to serious risk in the event of a collision or self-involving crash.

NTSA says its advisory is intended to avert such tragedies at a time when many Kenyans are expected to be out celebrating, reminding motorists that planning ahead could be the difference between a safe journey and a preventable loss of life.