Nakuru enforces school bus safety ahead of reopening

Nakuru County authorities, in a joint operation led by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and the National Police Service, have conducted thorough inspections of school buses to ensure they meet safety standards ahead of the third term reopening today.

The exercise focused on multiple aspects of vehicle safety, including roadworthiness, compliance with speed regulations, and the condition of critical equipment such as tyres, seatbelts, and seating arrangements.

Buses that failed to meet the required standards were issued with corrective directives and were only allowed back on the road after meeting the stipulated conditions and receiving clearance from NTSA and police authorities.

Speaking during the inspections, NTSA Regional Coordinator John Parteroi highlighted the authority’s commitment to student safety. “Our priority is to ensure that every child traveling to school, whether in a school bus or a public service vehicle, reaches their destination safely. With schools reopening today, we are determined to prevent accidents and ensure all vehicles are roadworthy,” he said.

Parteroi further warned that reckless driving would not be tolerated, stressing that both school bus operators and PSV drivers must adhere to traffic rules at all times, particularly as the festive season approaches.

Nakuru County Traffic Police Commander Allan Ogola echoed these sentiments, urging PSV operators to maintain their vehicles in good condition and ensure drivers strictly follow traffic regulations.

“Vehicles must be in excellent working order. Drivers must obey all traffic rules, especially this week, as schools reopen. We want zero accidents on our roads leading into the festive season,” Ogola stated.

He added that the authorities will intensify inspections of PSVs starting this week, signaling a crackdown on unsafe vehicles and negligent drivers.

“We will closely monitor all PSVs from today onwards. Our goal is clear: no accidents should occur on these roads during this period,” Ogola emphasized.

During the inspections, several schools were commended for maintaining high safety standards. Buses from Moi High School, Kabarak, and Moi Primary and Junior School Kabarak were highlighted as examples of vehicles in excellent condition, setting a benchmark for other schools and PSV operators in the county.

Parteroi also provided a detailed list of requirements for buses that did not initially meet safety standards, ensuring that operators understand the steps needed to gain approval to operate on the roads.

The NTSA and the National Police Service plan to continue these safety checks throughout the county, reinforcing the commitment to protecting students and road users alike.