The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has told motorists to ensure that their driving licenses, vehicle insurance, and other required documents remain valid as it launches a nationwide road safety crackdown.
NTSA issued the directive on Thursday, September 10, when it began joint compliance inspections with the National Police Service in Turkana County.
The inspections target drivers operating vehicles with expired documents, including invalid driving licenses and vehicle insurance, as well as cases involving defective speed governors and other traffic violations.
After the NTSA-led inspection in Turkana, authorities arrested some motorists, produced them in court, and fined them. Others walked free after renewing their expired licenses and insurance documents.
NTSA official Benard Boni said the joint exercise aims to reduce road crashes and fatalities tied to mechanical defects and non-compliance with traffic laws.
Speaking to the press, Boni said NTSA and the National Police Service will work together across Turkana through joint compliance inspections to curb accidents caused by vehicle defects.
He added that defective speed governors have emerged as a major challenge during the inspections. He also said enforcement teams found that several vehicles operate without valid insurance, particularly private vehicles.
“We have noticed several challenges, especially defective speed governors. Most vehicles are not insured, especially private vehicles,” Boni added.
Boni said authorities will enforce traffic rules against motorists who violate them, including arresting and prosecuting offenders. He added that drivers who comply by renewing their licenses and insurance documents will be allowed to continue their journeys.
“We have readily enforced traffic laws and ensured that they have been taken to court and fined. Others have complied by renewing their licences and insurance, and some have been released,” he said.
Boni warned that the crackdown will spread to other counties nationwide as the government works to ensure vehicles on Kenyan roads meet required safety standards.