KISUMU, Kenya– As road fatalities surge nationwide, hundreds of Public Service Vehicle (PSV) and school drivers from eight counties underwent free medical assessments and vehicle inspections recently.
Christened ‘NikoFit2Drive’, drivers’ physical and mental fitness to curb road accidents and safeguard passengers, especially schoolchildren.
Counties represented included Kisumu, Migori, Siaya, Kisii, Kakamega, Bungoma, Kericho, and Homabay.
The drive aligns with the National Transport and Safety Authority’s (NTSA) Usalama Barabarani campaign, which emphasises proactive health and roadworthiness checks.
The drivers were drawn from eight counties; Kisumu, Migori, Siaya, Kisii, Kakamega, Bungoma, Kericho and Homabay.
NTSA’s South Nyanza Regional Manager, Aden Adoo, said that it’s essential for a driver to know their medical status.
“This will enable them to be optimally fit to drive our children to and from schools. The bus clinic check-ups are also vital to ascertain the level of roadworthiness. Roadworthiness and road crashes are tied at the hip,” he stated at the sensitisation forum organised in partnership with Vivo Energy at Kisumu Polytechnic recently.
Usalama Barabarani
Alluding to 4,973 precious lives lost last year, Mr Adoo reiterated NTSA’s commitment to implement the National Road Safety Plan launched by President William Ruto on 17th April 2024.
To achieve the NTSA Act 2012 objective, he lauded the close working formula between stakeholders (national, local governments, and private) in their resolve to promote road safety measures
“The robust and enhanced collaboration with the Education Ministry will greatly benefit our drivers and curb human and vehicular fatalities,” Adoo remarked.
“We have also been harmonising the operations of the bodaboda (motorbike taxi riders) and capacity building them. But, one of the major challenges has been their lack of driving licenses,” he noted.
Kisumu County Transport Safety Committee (KTSC) Chairman Fred Osewe urged drivers to always observe road discipline.
“We need to respect road rules like in other neighbouring countries. Discipline starts with you so stop overloading, overspeeding, and drunk driving,” he advised.
Vivo Energy Head of Distribution, Eng. Fred Owuor said that their century-old Shell brands have been at the forefront of supporting road safety programs in various countries.
“A wide reach target of school drivers is a key pillar in the sharing of road safety tips,” he said.
Eng Owuor expressed his worries on the NTSA data, which shows that at least 13-14 people are killed every day from dangerous and careless driving and riding.
“Another key pillar is to have a Driver Management System, which entails employing qualified drivers and training them on Defensive Driving,” he emphasised.
He added that drivers should always highlight their situation and stay sober: to avoid visibility impairment.
Similarly, PSV Drivers Kisumu County Welfare Chairman Moses Odire and James Omwa, a member of the KCTSC, jointly expressed their satisfaction at the initiative while suggesting that it should be conducted biannually across the country.
“Bodaboda and Heavy commercial vehicle drivers should benefit from similar programs. We also urge some of the School Principals to create a conducive environment for drivers to serve diligently.”
“Drivers play a crucial role in securing our children’s safety and future generations. They should always be keen to check whether the vehicle is mechanically sound,” the participants concluded.
