With schools expected to reopen on August 25 for the third term, the National Transport and Safety Authority has cautioned school transport operators to ensure vehicles used to carry children are safe and properly maintained.

The authority’s warning comes at a time when road safety has become a major concern, with nearly 50 lives lost in accidents across the country in the past week.

In a statement on Friday, NTSA director general George Njao said recent compliance checks and inspections revealed serious safety lapses in several school transport vehicles.

“Some school transport vehicles had not installed speed limiters, while others operated with non-serviced or expired speed limiters, contrary to the requirements of KS 2295:2018,” he said.

He added that certain devices fitted on vehicles failed to transmit data to the NTSA Intelligent Road Safety Management System, making it difficult to monitor compliance.

Njao also pointed out that the physical condition of some school vehicles was worrying, with inspectors finding “worn-out upholstery, unstable cushions, torn or jagged seat edges, malfunctioning door locks, and faulty sliding rails.”

Other violations included missing or faulty seat belts, poor seat anchorage, and non-compliance with KS 372:2019 standards. In some cases, vehicles were found without anti-roll bars or Vehicle Identification Number plates.

The inspection further revealed corroded chassis, damaged steering systems, and weak suspension components, all of which Njao said posed serious safety risks to school children.

“We urge motor vehicle owners to perform routine maintenance and service their vehicles to identify and address potential problems. This will help minimise the risk of a road traffic crash caused by mechanical failures,” he said.

According to NTSA, 315,000 public service and commercial vehicles have been flagged for operating without valid inspection certificates. Njao said the owners had already been notified to take corrective measures.

He further directed law enforcement officers to use the NTSA mobile app to confirm inspection certificate validity and take the necessary steps against offenders.

"Additionally, we request members of the public not to board or allow school children to be transported in unroadworthy vehicles," Njao said, while stressing that “road safety is a shared responsibility.”

The statement serves as a strong reminder of the need for strict compliance with safety standards to protect learners as they return to school.