The National Transport and Safety Authority, NTSA, has thrown its full weight behind a renewed road safety crackdown, with officers now conducting intensive alcohol operations on major highways and at bus terminals across the country.
The directive, confirmed on June 27, means motorists caught driving under the influence will face stricter checks as officers ramp up roadside breathalyser tests on busy routes.
NTSA has warned that impaired judgment behind the wheel remains a major contributor to fatal road crashes, and they are not taking any chances this holiday season.
But it is not just about alcohol. Officers are also keeping a close eye on other dangerous habits, including speeding, dangerous overtaking, and driving on the wrong side of the road.
The authority has flagged driver fatigue, particularly among long-distance motorists, and is urging transport operators to ensure their drivers get adequate rest before embarking on extended journeys. Mobile phone use while driving, lane indiscipline, and distracted driving are also on the watchlist.
The enforcement campaign kicked off with sensitisation exercises in Mombasa County and is being conducted jointly with NTSA regional offices, county governments, and the National Police Service.
Passengers have also been urged to speak up whenever they notice reckless driving behaviour and report incidents before they put lives at risk. Members of the public can report dangerous driving through police emergency hotlines 999, 911, and 112, among other official channels.
This push comes just as schools break for the August holidays, a period NTSA says sees a sharp rise in road travel involving children.
In an earlier notice, the authority confirmed that matatus, school buses, and vans are part of the enforcement through the ongoing Operation Watoto Wafike Salama, a nationwide campaign aimed at keeping children safe on Kenyan roads during the busy travel period.
NTSA has stated that the campaign includes awareness sessions for drivers and passengers, intensified drink-driving enforcement, and enhanced road safety compliance operations along major highways to promote safer travel during the holiday period.
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