Government Orders Safety Checks on School Transport as Term One Starts

Kenya, 5 January 2026 - As schools reopen for the 2026 academic year, the government has rolled out a renewed road safety campaign, warning parents, drivers and school administrators against using illegal and poorly maintained vehicles to transport learners.

Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir issued a travel advisory on Monday, urging families to make safety a priority as thousands of children return to classrooms nationwide. He cautioned that unregulated transport, including vehicles operating without licences or safety certification, has been linked to a series of recent road crashes involving school-going children.

Chirchir advised parents to plan travel early and discourage late-night journeys, noting that darkness, fatigue and reckless driving significantly increase the risk of accidents. He also appealed for greater parental involvement in teaching children basic road safety habits.

“Choose safe and compliant transport for your children. Teach children the basics of road safety; looking both ways before crossing and using designated crossings. The safety of our children is everyone’s responsibility,” Chirchir said.

He further called on members of the public to take an active role in enforcing road discipline by reporting dangerous driving. “Let us uphold our traffic laws, be mindful of one another, and ensure that every learner arrives safely at school and returns home at the end of the day. Report reckless behaviour to the authorities @ntsa_kenya, and @NPSOfficial_KE, your vigilance can save lives,” he added.