The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has renewed its warning against the operation of school buses outside the legally approved hours of 6am to 6pm, citing heightened risks to learner safety.
In a statement shared on its X account, the authority said, “School buses are not permitted to operate before 6am or after 6pm to keep learners safe. Early morning and late evening travel increases risks.”
The reminder comes as learners continue reporting back to school for the first term of the 2026 academic calendar, which officially began on January 5.
The restriction is anchored in the Traffic (Amendment) Act of 2017, which bars school buses from travelling between 6pm and 6am. The law was first enforced in 2018 following a surge in fatal nighttime accidents involving students.
The regulation aims to reduce exposure to high-risk conditions such as poor visibility and driver fatigue.
This measure is meant to keep school transport off the roads during the most dangerous hours.
The safety push also revives measures introduced under former Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, who directed that all school buses be painted yellow to improve visibility and alert other motorists.
The directive followed a series of deadly incidents, including a night crash in Mwingi where 10 pupils died after a bus veered off the road while overtaking on a narrow stretch.
As schools reopen, NTSA has appealed to the public to help enforce compliance by reporting any school bus found transporting learners outside the stipulated hours. Using the catchphrase “Pumzisha Mboka,” the authority urged drivers to strictly follow the law.
Kenyans were also encouraged to share photos or videos of reckless driving via 0709-932-000 or upload the footage on NTSA’s social media platforms.
The renewed enforcement comes amid growing concern over road safety. The National Police Service reports that at least 31 people died in road accidents within the first six days of January 2026, while more than 40 fatalities were recorded nationwide between late December 2025 and January 6, 2026.
