The government has issued a travel advisory to parents and guardians as schools reopen across the country, following a surge in road accidents during the holiday and New Year periods.
In an alert released on Monday, the Ministry of Interior urged parents to strictly ensure that children travelling back to school use recognised and properly registered vehicles, including school buses and public transport operated under registered SACCOs.
The ministry warned that unregulated transport has been linked to several recent road accidents, some of which have involved school-going children, prompting heightened concern as learners return to school.
Parents and guardians were advised to ensure children are safe and always accounted for, stressing the importance of knowing a child’s whereabouts at all times during the journey back to school.
Additionally, the ministry encouraged students to travel early and avoid late-night journeys, noting that most serious road accidents occur during nighttime hours when visibility is poor, and driver fatigue is common.
Learners were further advised to use only recognised public transport, travel in groups where possible to enhance safety, and remain vigilant throughout the journey.
The advisory also cautioned students against bad company, unlawful substance use, and involvement in any outlawed activity while travelling, warning that such behaviour exposes them to additional risks.
At the same time, drivers were reminded to prioritise the safety of their passengers, themselves, and other road users, as authorities intensify enforcement measures during the school reopening period.
The advisory comes hours after at least 9 people lost their lives, while others were left with serious injuries after an early morning crash along the Nairobi- Nakuru highway on Monday morning.
The accident, which took place at the Karai area in Naivasha at around 2 am, occurred after a Greenline bus collided head-on with a Nanyuki Cabs shuttle.
Photos obtained by Kenyans.co.ke show the matatu’s front section completely crushed, while the understructure of the other bus was destroyed.
The traffic predictably caused a mild snarl-up on Monday morning, with motorists rushing to the crash scene to assist with rescue efforts before police and emergency responders arrived.
