The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) will be offering free motor vehicle inspection services for school buses and vans as part of its “Operation Watoto Wafike Salama” campaign on Saturday, August 23, 2025, from 9am to 3pm at designated centres countrywide.

According to the authority, this initiative is meant to ensure the safety of learners by checking the roadworthiness of the transport vehicles before start of the third term. 

The clinics aim to identify potential risks and provide guidance to schools and vehicle owners on corrective measures.

''We will make a safety assessment to guide motor vehicle owners and schools on corrective measures to take in order to ensure the safety of all our children. Present school transport vehicles for a free motor vehicle inspection clinic,'' read part of the notice by NTSA.

Participating inspection centres include the Likoni Road Centre in Nairobi, as well as the authority’s locations in Mombasa, Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, Nyahururu, Machakos, Voi, Kitale, Kakamega, Nyeri, Thika, Kisumu, Embu, Meru, Kericho, and Garissa.

However, for Kisii County, this inspection will be held a day earlier, on Friday, August 22, to accommodate local schools and transport operators. The event will take place at Cardinal Otunga High School, Mosocho.

NTSA inspectors will be assessing the vehicles’ braking systems, tires, seatbelts, lights, and the general mechanical condition. Vehicle owners and schools will receive advice on any repairs or adjustments necessary to meet safety standards.

“Operation Watoto Wafike Salama” is part of NTSA’s broader effort to reduce accidents involving school buses and foster a culture of road safety in Kenya.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior is developing a database that will be used to monitor traffic accidents in the country in real time. The system would use big data and digital intelligence to modernize the recording and investigation of traffic accidents.

The initiative will be supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) but will be led by several departments including the National Police Service in collaboration with the Interior Ministry and the State Departments for Roads, Transport and Information.

Through developing a database, the government can easily identify high-risk roads and understand the root cause of crashes before curating suitable and informed interventions. 

These developments come amid a surge in road carnage that has left about 80 people dead in the last three weeks alone. Two weeks ago, a bus overturned at Coptic roundabout at the Kisumu-Kakamega highway, plunging two villages and communities into mourning.

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