Murkomen orders re-testing of all PSV drivers, return of NTSA amid rise in road accidents

Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has ordered the immediate reassessment of drivers operating Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) and heavy commercial vehicles in response to the recent surge in road accidents countrywide which have claimed numerous lives and left many seriously injured.

In a statement to newsrooms on Tuesday, the CS highlighted that the driver re-evaluation exercise, initially slated for June 2023 before being moved to October last year and subsequently suspended, was long overdue, stressing that stakeholders are expected to immediately comply with the directive without fail.

"The re-testing of all PSV and heavy commercial drivers, that had been postponed after an outcry from the sector, will now be implemented without further delay. All stakeholders are expected to comply and cooperate," said Murkomen.

Murkomen likewise announced that the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) will immediately start enforcing road safety regulations in collaboration with the National Police Service, overturning a 2018 directive by former President Uhuru Kenyatta that had exempted the authority from this responsibility.

"Having consulted with my Interior and National Coordination colleague, Prof Kithure Kindiki, we are going to establish a mechanism where the previous directive to remove NTSA from enforcement will be vacated and a collaborative regime between NTSA and NPS will be put in place for a more efficient enforcement," said Murkomen.

"You will be seeing a return of the NTSA working with traffic police to enforce traffic safety on our roads as soon as possible."

The CS also ordered NTSA to establish procedures to carry out medical tests on all drivers to establish whether they are medically fit to drive legally.

"NTSA to put in place measures for the implementation of medical testing of all drivers as required by Section 1o5A(1) and (2) and Rule 30(4) of the Traffic (Driving Schools, Driving Instructors and Driving License) Rules 202 before the issuance of any new driving licences and renewal thereof to ensure that only drivers who are medically fit are licensed to drive," he said.

He additionally mandated the NTSA and the police to intensify nationwide road enforcement efforts and seize unroadworthy vehicles that lack integration with the intelligent road safety management system for transmitting speed limiter data.

"As we approach the Easter festivities and closing of schools, we shall be working closely with the NPS and monitoring the enforcement of traffic laws and regulations. I urge all road users to be cautious about their safety and the safety of others to prevent the needless loss of lives," he said.