Kenya’s road safety regulator has launched one of its most aggressive festive-season crackdowns yet, suspending the licences of 62 public service vehicle drivers after uncovering widespread violations across several major matatu operators. The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), in a statement issued on Tuesday, December 9, said the action followed an intensive compliance sweep conducted during the busy holiday travel period — a season historically marked by surging passenger traffic and increased road crashes.
The largest shock hit Tahmeed Express Limited, which recorded the highest number of affected drivers. NTSA revoked the licences of 23 of its drivers after detecting what it described as serious safety lapses that demanded immediate intervention. Latema Travellers Bus and Safari Company Limited also came under heavy scrutiny, with 13 of its drivers suspended, while Meru Nissan Operators Sacco saw 10 of its drivers removed from the roads pending further assessment.
The ripple effect extended to other operators as well. Moline Prestige Services Shuttle Limited had six drivers flagged, MTrans Sacco Limited had seven, and Enabled Mashariki Investment Limited had three. The cumulative total of 62 suspended drivers paints a troubling picture of operational standards within the public transport sector just days before Kenyans begin their traditional mass holiday movements.
NTSA explained that the suspensions were triggered by a combination of field inspections, passenger complaints, and digital monitoring through its Intelligent Road Safety Management System (IRSMS), a tool that tracks speed, driver behaviour, and route compliance in real time. Violations ranging from speeding and dangerous overtaking to poor route discipline and disregard for safety protocols reportedly dominated the findings.
All the affected drivers are now required to undergo mandatory re-testing to determine whether they are competent and suitable to return to service. At the same time, their respective companies and Saccos have been instructed to initiate fresh road-safety training for their entire fleets and present selected vehicles for inspection — a move designed to tighten enforcement beyond individual driver penalties.
The crackdown comes against the backdrop of alarming road-safety statistics. NTSA data shows that fatalities recorded by late October had already surpassed the numbers reported over the same period in the previous year, signaling a worrying upward trend in road carnage despite ongoing awareness campaigns. With festive-season travel expected to peak in the coming weeks, NTSA, alongside the National Police Service, has intensified operations on highways and within bus termini to curb reckless behaviour.
For commuters, the latest suspensions may offer reassurance that the government is paying closer attention to safety in an industry often criticized for impunity, overloading, and indiscipline. For operators, however, the sanctions serve as a costly and disruptive wake-up call — necessitating rapid internal reforms to avoid further regulatory action.
NTSA maintained that the suspensions will remain in force until each driver and operator satisfactorily meets all re-evaluation requirements, emphasizing that road safety, especially during the festive season, outweighs any commercial considerations. As holiday travel begins to build momentum, the Authority’s latest move signals a firm stance: unsafe drivers will not be allowed behind the wheel, and non-compliant operators will face strict consequences.
