NTSA issues 8-point safety checklist for school transport ahead of reopening

A school bus undergoing inspection/ NTSA

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has issued an eight-point safety checklist for school administrators ahead of the reopening of schools next week, urging strict compliance to protect learners during transportation.

In a public advisory shared on its official platforms, NTSA called on schools to ensure that all vehicles used to transport children are roadworthy and meet safety regulations, as part of its Operation Watoto Wafike Salama campaign.

The directive comes as thousands of learners prepare to return to school, a period that typically sees increased traffic involving school buses and vans across the country.

“As schools prepare to reopen, all school administrators are urged to ensure that their transport vehicles are roadworthy and compliant with safety regulations,” NTSA said.

The authority outlined key measures that institutions must adhere to, including using roadworthy vehicles, hiring qualified drivers and ensuring that buses are fitted with safety belts.

Schools have also been asked to closely supervise drivers, confirm that speed limiters are functional and ensure that drivers and conductors are not under the influence of alcohol.

Additionally, NTSA directed that school transport vehicles must follow designated routes, warning that deviations could expose learners to unnecessary risks.

“Our children need to get to school safely,” the authority emphasised.

The checklist is part of broader efforts by the regulator to reduce road accidents involving school-going children, especially during peak travel periods such as school opening and closing days.

Road safety has remained a key concern in Kenya, with past incidents involving school buses prompting renewed calls for stricter enforcement of transport regulations.

NTSA has in recent years intensified inspections targeting public service vehicles and school transport, focusing on compliance with speed governors, driver qualifications and vehicle condition.

Education stakeholders have often been urged to take greater responsibility in ensuring the safety of learners, particularly where private transport arrangements are involved.

The authority has previously warned that failure to comply with safety standards could result in penalties, including the withdrawal of operating licences.

The latest advisory places responsibility squarely on school administrators to guarantee that vehicles used are properly maintained and that drivers adhere to traffic rules at all times.

The campaign hashtag #WatotoWafikeSalama, loosely translated to “children should arrive safely”, underscores the focus on safeguarding young passengers, who are considered among the most vulnerable road users.

NTSA has also called for cooperation between school management, parents and transport providers to ensure that safety measures are consistently observed.

The authority noted that monitoring driver behaviour is critical, particularly during long-distance travel, where fatigue and reckless driving have previously been cited as contributing factors in road crashes.

By issuing the checklist ahead of reopening, NTSA aims to reinforce preventive measures rather than reactive enforcement, signalling a shift towards proactive road safety management.

With increased movement expected in the coming days, the authority has indicated that compliance checks and enforcement operations will be stepped up to ensure that school transport providers adhere to the guidelines.

The advisory serves as a reminder that ensuring the safety of learners on the road is a shared responsibility, requiring vigilance and adherence to established regulations by all parties involved.