The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has launched a nationwide capacity-building programme targeting public service vehicle (PSV) drivers, operators, SACCO managers and supervisors.
In a statement on September 22, NTSA said that the programme seeks to professionalize Kenya’s public transport sector by improving road safety, compliance, passenger service and business management among drivers and operators.
NTSA said the initiative aims to shift the sector from informal, passenger-chasing operations to professionally managed, safety-oriented transport businesses.
“As part of ongoing reforms in the public transport sector, NTSA has launched a nationwide capacity-building programme for public service vehicle (PSV) drivers and operators. The reforms aim to shift the sector from informal, passenger-chasing operations to professionally managed, safety-oriented, financially sustainable and compliant transport businesses.
The programme is designed to treat drivers and operators as partners in road safety, professionalise public transport operations, raise service standards, strengthen compliance and reduce road traffic crashes,” read part of the statement.
NTSA Begins Nationwide Training Programme for PSV Drivers
According to NTSA, the programme targets both PSV drivers and their employers, who have a shared role in reducing preventable road crashes caused by behavioural, and operational factors.
Training will cover defensive driving, passenger care, professional conduct, vehicle safety, fuel efficiency, compliance with traffic laws, digital systems and emergency response.
Participants will also receive training on fleet operations, financial and strategic management, governance, customer experience and the use of technology in public transport businesses.
The programme will include competency assessments for drivers and operators, with immediate action taken to address identified safety gaps.
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What the Training Will Include
Operators will also be required to develop 90-day improvement plans covering road safety, regulatory compliance, fleet management and business performance.
More than 4,000 drivers, SACCO and operator managers, and supervisors are expected to undergo the free training and certification programme.
NTSA is implementing the programme in four phases, beginning with design and baseline assessment, followed by a pilot, national scale-up and eventual institutionalisation.
A Training of Trainers cohort has already completed its programme to support the rollout across the country.
The first driver and operator cohorts started the four-day training on September 21, 2026, in Taita Taveta, Mombasa and Garissa counties.
NTSA said the pilot was timed ahead of the festive season, when increased passenger numbers and commercial pressure can put additional strain on PSV operations.
Drivers and operators selected for the programme will also act as road safety champions within their SACCOs and transport companies, helping to sustain the practices introduced during the training.
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Following the pilot, NTSA plans to expand the programme to more counties, prioritizing high-risk corridors and high-volume routes.
Data collected during the pilot will be used to refine the training curriculum and determine how trainers are deployed before the national rollout.
The Authority also plans to work with training institutions to develop professional courses in Public Transport Management and Professional Drivers Certification.
The programme is being implemented by NTSA in collaboration with the Ministry of Roads and Transport as part of ongoing reforms aimed at improving safety, compliance and professionalism in Kenya’s public transport sector.
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