The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has
suspended the operating licences of four public transport operators following a
series of fatal road crashes recorded during the December 2025 festive season.
In a statement, the Authority said the action was taken
after investigations revealed widespread non-compliance with safety
regulations, including breaches related to speed control and driver conduct.
NTSA further placed two additional operators on notice,
giving them 21 days to meet strict conditions or face suspension of their
licences.
“The Authority shall conduct safety compliance audits on the
operators before their licenses are reinstated,” NTSA said.
The Authority noted that the suspensions were informed by
failure to adhere to the requirements of KS 2295-2023-a, a standard set by the
Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) that outlines specifications for Maximum Road
Speed Limiters for motor vehicles.
Other grounds included non-compliance with various
provisions of NTSA regulations governing public service vehicles.
“To this end, members of the public are hereby advised not
to board vehicles belonging to the suspended Saccos/Companies, as this measure
is part of our unwavering commitment to ensuring the highest standards of
passenger safety and road safety compliance,” NTSA stated.
The Authority added that enforcement agencies had been
alerted to ensure the directive is fully implemented.
“The Traffic Department has been advised to impound vehicles
belonging to the listed Saccos/Companies found operating contrary to the
suspension,” NTSA added.
The operators affected by the suspensions are Monna Comfort
Sacco, Greenline Company Limited, Naekana Route 134 Sacco Ltd and Uwezo Coast
Shuttle.
Meanwhile, Guardian Coach Limited and Nanyuki Express Cab
Services Ltd were granted a 21-day window to comply with the set conditions,
failure to which their operating licences will be suspended.
As part of the immediate measures, Guardian Coach Limited
and Nanyuki Express Cab Services Ltd were directed to disengage the drivers
involved from all driving duties.
They were also instructed to present vehicles cited for
various violations for compliance inspection and to submit detailed compliance
reports to the Authority.
Similarly, the suspended operators—Monna Comfort Sacco,
Greenline Company Limited, Naekana Route 134 Sacco Ltd and Uwezo Coast
Shuttle—were ordered to disengage drivers from all driving duties.
NTSA further cancelled the PSV endorsement classes of
drivers involved in speed violations and fatal crashes, suspending their
driving licences for a period of 90 days.
After the suspension period, the affected drivers will be
required to undergo a mandatory re-test before being allowed back on the road.
In addition, the companies were instructed to present all
vehicles with noted violations to approved speed limiter vendors for
functionality checks.
The suspended operators must also submit signed contracts
for drivers and other staff, alongside proof of compliance with Section 5(1)(e)
of the regulations.
NTSA further directed the operators to provide six months’
records of staff payroll, PAYE, NSSF and SHA remittances, as well as their last
quarter compliance reports covering October to December 2025.
These reports should detail compliance status, challenges
encountered and proactive measures undertaken to enhance safety and adherence
to regulations.
The Authority also required the operators to conduct road
safety sensitisation programmes within their companies and establish
operational offices or designated coordination points at major county pick-up
and drop-off locations.
These centres are expected to support dispatch, passenger
handling, complaint resolution and incident reporting. Operators must also
submit a list of licensed routes and the vehicles assigned to each route.
NTSA directed that all drivers undergo sensitisation and
that the operators submit reports, photographs, minutes of meetings and
attendance lists to the Authority as proof of compliance, underscoring its firm
stance on improving safety standards across the public transport sector.