Drama as NTSA Impounds 14-Seater Matatu Carrying 31 Students

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) is looking for a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) driver who escaped after being found carrying excess passengers in Meru County.

According to the authority, the 14-seater PSV registered under Meru Nissan Sacco was found carrying 31 students from Tharaka Nithi county while on their way for the April holiday.

In a statement seen by The Kenya Times, NTSA has confirmed that it had to organize on how the students could travel after the driver ran away.

“The driver managed to escape, and efforts are underway to apprehend him.  Alternative transport arrangements were made for the learners,” the statement read in part.

Additionally, the authority revealed that the vehicle is currently being held at a police station pending investigation into the matter.

Managements to Consider Student’s Safety

NTSA further urged managements of various saccos to highly prioritize the safety of students as they break for their holiday season.

“Drivers and school management entrusted with the safety of our children must understand their responsibility,” the statement added.

This comes days after the authority issued a statement on March 29,2024, listing four key conditions that school transport must meet before embarking on ferrying students back home.

Also Read: NTSA Lists Four Conditions for School Buses Ahead of April Holiday

NTSA had ordered public transport vehicles carrying students to have a functional speed limiter, necessary endorsement and a valid PSV badge.

Additionally, NTSA launched a crackdown on traffic rules violation on Kenyan roads in efforts that have so far led to the arrests of several individuals including pedestrians violating set safety measures.

In a statement shared by the authority earlier this week, NTSA also urged pedestrians to adhere to designated crossing points including footbridges and walkways in order to ensure their safety.

“In light of recent incidents and to prevent further accidents, it is imperative that pedestrians utilize designated crossing points,” read the statement in part.

NTSA Arrest Pedestrians Ignoring Traffic Rules

The authority further arrested 30 pedestrians for failing to adhere to traffic regulations along Mombasa Road.  In a separate incident, NTSA suspended licenses of Bungoma Line Safari ltd and Smart Highway Sacco ltd.

Also Read: NTSA Suspends Licenses of Two Popular Shuttles

The authority shared that the two Saccos had failed to comply with the necessary regulations including speed violations.

“The authority notifies the public that it has suspended the operator licenses for Bungoma Line Safari ltd and Smart Highway Sacco ltd,” the statement read in part.

“The suspensions were necessitated by the saccos failure to comply with provisions of Section 5 of the NTSA (Operation of PSV) Regulations, 2014 and analysis of speed data violations that were compiled through the NTSA Intelligent Road Safety Management System.”