School buses will no longer be allowed on the roads before 6am or after 6pm, as the government moves to protect learners from the deadly accidents that have claimed dozens of lives in recent weeks.
The directive comes as the country grapples with what the National Police Service has described as a road safety "crisis" that has already killed at least 31 people in the first six days of January 2026 alone.
Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura announced the mandatory restriction, citing heightened safety and security risks during early morning and late evening hours.
"This measure is intended to safeguard learners, as early morning and late evening travel significantly increases safety and security risks," Mwaura stated.
The new operating window aims to keep school transport off the roads during the most dangerous hours when visibility is poor and driver fatigue is high.
Between late December 2025 and January 6, 2026, more than 40 people lost their lives in major road accidents across the country.
The carnage has been particularly severe on major highways, with multiple high-casualty crashes recorded in quick succession.
On January 5, nine people, including two children, died in a pre-dawn crash involving a Greenline bus and a Nissan matatu on the Nairobi-Nakuru highway.
Just a day later, six people were killed and 46 others injured when a Uwezo Sacco bus collided with a trailer on the Londiani-Muhoroni road in Kericho County.
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) recorded 4,458 road deaths in 2025, up from 4,311 in 2024, reflecting a worrying upward trend.
Authorities have attributed most crashes to preventable human error, including reckless driving, speeding, driver fatigue, and drunk driving.
The government has urged citizens to "report reckless drivers" to the NTSA hotline on 0709 932 000 or upload photos and videos of incidents on NTSA social media pages.
A nationwide crackdown on traffic violations is now underway, with authorities focusing on black spots, speeding, and drunk driving.
NTSA has also begun mandating retests for drivers caught violating traffic rules as part of the heightened enforcement measures.
