The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has issued a fierce condemnation of drivers endangering the lives of school children, following a disturbing viral video that sparked nationwide outrage.
The video, which surfaced on Tuesday, captured a public service vehicle (PSV) dangerously ferrying students, prompting immediate action from both NTSA and the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA).
The shocking footage shows a white van, registered as a commercial matatu, speeding recklessly with students hanging precariously out of the vehicle. Some of the school girls, dressed in their uniforms, are seen dangerously dangling their legs outside the window, while the driver nonchalantly engages in a conversation with a passenger also risking their life by hanging out of the moving van.
This blatant disregard for safety has ignited public fury, with Kenyans across the country condemning the driver for putting young lives at risk.
NTSA's investigation into the incident revealed that the vehicle's inspection is due to expire in April 2025, but it remains unaffiliated with any known SACCO, raising questions about its operational legitimacy.
Further inquiries revealed that AD Genius Limited operates the vehicle under a road service license (RSL), yet the company’s connection to the broader public service vehicle network remains unclear.
In a strongly worded statement, NTSA declared that it would take stringent action against motor vehicle owners who fail to present the rogue drivers sought by the Authority.
The NTSA did not mince words, stating, "It is very unfortunate that despite efforts to ensure road safety, rogue PSV drivers continue to endanger the lives of school children. We have received several disturbing recordings of school children hanging dangerously on moving vehicles. Drivers have the ultimate responsibility of protecting children entrusted to them by their parents."
Dr Anthony Omerikwa, CEO of NACADA, also weighed in on the issue, expressing grave concerns about the safety of students and the potential for substance abuse during their transit.
"No one should allow students to board public or private vehicles if they display signs of being under the influence of substances, because they not only endanger themselves but also pose significant risks to other road users," Omerikwa warned.
The joint response from NTSA and NACADA underscores a broader crisis in the transport sector, particularly regarding the safety of school children. Both organisations have called for a collective effort to address these dangers, urging parents to ensure their children are transported in safe, licensed vehicles. NTSA further encouraged the public to report reckless drivers, emphasising the need for societal vigilance.
The NTSA has also promoted the use of its free app, which allows parents and guardians to verify the PSV Sacco and driver details before their children board any vehicle. This measure, the Authority argues, could be a critical step in preventing future tragedies.
As schools reopen and students return to their routines, the risks associated with unsafe transport and potential substance abuse become more pronounced.
Omerikwa highlighted the dangers posed by alcohol and drug use in both private and public vehicles during this period, urging a united front to safeguard children.
"It is our collective responsibility to protect our children from the dangers posed by alcohol and drug use," he stated, calling on parents, guardians, and school authorities to remain vigilant.
