NTSA launches nationwide road safety crackdown after fatal Mai Mahiu–Narok crash
By Chemtai Kirui | Nairobi
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has launched a nationwide road safety crackdown following a fatal weekend crash along the Mai Mahiu–Narok Road, as authorities step up enforcement amid rising road deaths.
NTSA said on Tuesday it was working with the National Police Service to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision in Nairegia, which it described as a tragic incident.
The crash involved a Mercedes Axor truck heading toward Mai Mahiu and a Toyota Voxy minivan travelling in the opposite direction toward Narok, according to preliminary findings.
In a statement, the agency said the driver of one of the vehicles lost control, resulting in a head-on crash, and extended condolences to families of those who died.
The incident has triggered intensified enforcement under “Operation Watoto Wafike Salama,” a multi-agency campaign targeting speeding, unroadworthy vehicles and unsafe school transport as learners return for the new term.
NTSA Director General Nashon Kondiwa said the operation would be enforced through a coordinated, multi-agency approach.
“A multi-agency team will heighten strict road safety compliance checks across the country, and we urge all motorists to exercise the highest level of responsibility while on the roads,” he said. “We are working closely with the National Police Service to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances that led the driver to lose control.”
The crackdown comes against a backdrop of rising road deaths.
Official data shows 294 people died in road accidents in the first three weeks of 2026, up from 276 over the same period last year. Overall fatalities rose to 4,458 in 2025 from 4,311 in 2024.
Pedestrians and motorcyclists account for nearly 70% of those killed, making them the most vulnerable road users.
The Mai Mahiu–Narok corridor, where the latest crash occurred, is considered a high-risk route due to heavy traffic and steep sections prone to speeding and loss of vehicle control.
Under the current operation, officers are carrying out on-the-spot inspections of public service vehicles (PSVs), trucks and school buses to ensure compliance with safety standards.
School transport operators have been directed to present vehicles for inspection, with authorities stressing the need to ensure they are mechanically sound.
Kondiwa warned that compliance would be strictly enforced as schools reopen.
“All school transport operators are expected to present their fleets for inspection to confirm that the vehicles are mechanically sound and safe for transporting children,” he said. “Negligence during this busy transport period could cost lives.”
The campaign is also focusing on illegal public transport vehicles and enforcing compliance with licensing and safety requirements.
Motorists have been urged to exercise caution, particularly during the school reopening period.
The 14-week school term runs until July 31, with a mid-term break scheduled from June 24 to June 28.
The enforcement drive is expected to rely in part on automated systems, including traffic cameras and digital driver records, to detect speeding and repeat offenders.
However, the rollout of automated instant fines faces legal uncertainty after High Court Justice Bahati Mwamuye issued conservatory orders on March 12 suspending the system following a petition by Sheria Mtaani.
The ruling means enforcement must still involve a manual verification process, raising questions about how fully automated penalties can be applied during the current crackdown.
It was not immediately clear whether the current enforcement measures fully incorporate the contested system or rely on alternative mechanisms.
The push toward automated enforcement follows recommendations by the National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ), which has called for shifting minor traffic offences from the courts to administrative penalties to ease case backlogs.
Transport operators have in the past raised concerns that strict crackdowns can disrupt services, particularly on major routes linking Nairobi to western Kenya and the coast.
Reduced vehicle availability during enforcement periods has previously led to higher fares and commuter delays.
Authorities say the current measures are necessary to curb dangerous driving and prevent further loss of life and that the focus on heavy commercial vehicles and public transport is aimed at reducing risk to pedestrians and motorcyclists, who account for the majority of road fatalities.
NTSA urged the public to cooperate with enforcement teams and report unsafe practices as investigations into the Mai Mahiu–Narok crash continue.
