Kenya’s National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has issued a safety advisory listing four checks every motorist must carry out before driving. NTSA issued safety measures to Kenyan motorists. The attention was directed at operators transporting pupils at the start of the school term. The authority published the directive on its official X account on Friday, August 28, targeting transporters ferrying students back to school. What NTSA wants motorists to check NTSA named lighting systems, tyres, brakes, and side mirrors as the four critical areas every driver must inspect before setting off.
On lights, the authority urged transporters to test whether all vehicle lights are functioning correctly, including headlights, brake lights, and indicators. Tyre condition was flagged as equally important, with the regulator asking drivers to examine their tyres for wear, inflation levels, and any visible damage before departure. Brakes, which are central to road safety, were also highlighted as requiring servicing rather than a simple visual check, while functional side mirrors were cited as essential for safe manoeuvrability on Kenyan roads. “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 authority stated in its post. Why the timing matters The advisory comes at a period when school transport activity intensifies across the country, with matatus, school buses, and private vehicles operating at higher frequency as learners return to class. NTSA has consistently linked vehicle defects to a significant proportion of road crashes recorded in Kenya, with brake failure, worn tyres, and poor visibility among the leading mechanical causes cited in past accident reports.
By issuing the checklist at the start of the school season, the regulator is placing responsibility on transporters to carry out preventive inspections rather than wait for enforcement stops at checkpoints. What must drivers and matatu operators do? In related news, all Kenyan drivers and operators of public service vehicles received a back-to-school road safety warning from NTSA. PSV operators must fulfil two crucial compliance requirements, according to the transport regulator. A valid PSV badge and a valid driver’s licence (DL) were the two requirements highlighted. Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
