NTSA Announces Nationwide Highway Crackdown Ahead of August School Holidays

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has announced an intensified nationwide road safety operation that will see enforcement teams deployed along highways and major roads ahead of the August school holidays, when travel volumes are expected to increase across the country.

The operation forms part of the ongoing Operation Watoto Wafike Salama campaign, which brings together NTSA, the National Police Service, County Transport and Safety Committees and other stakeholders. According to the authority, officers will carry out road safety compliance checks while also conducting public awareness activities along key transport corridors.

NTSA said the campaign aims to promote safer journeys for learners and other road users during the holiday travel period. Thousands of students are expected to leave schools in the coming days, leading to increased movement of public service vehicles and private motorists on major highways.

The authority urged motorists to obey traffic rules, maintain safe speeds and ensure their vehicles meet roadworthiness requirements before travelling. Drivers were also reminded to avoid dangerous behaviour behind the wheel, including reckless overtaking and driving while fatigued.

Public service vehicle operators are expected to comply fully with transport regulations during the enforcement exercise. NTSA has consistently stated that vehicle condition, driver conduct and adherence to traffic laws remain central to reducing crashes, particularly during busy travel seasons.

Road safety campaigns have become a regular feature during holiday periods as authorities respond to recurring spikes in traffic volumes. Kenya has previously conducted similar multi-agency operations during Easter and end-of-year travel, combining enforcement with public education in an effort to improve compliance.

The latest operation will focus on major transport corridors used by long-distance travellers connecting Nairobi with other parts of the country. These routes often experience heavy traffic during school holidays as families, students and commercial transport operators share the road network.

NTSA said collaboration between government agencies and road users remains essential in preventing avoidable crashes. The authority encouraged passengers to play their part by reporting unsafe driving and ensuring that the vehicles they board comply with road safety requirements.

The announcement comes as road safety continues to receive national attention through enforcement campaigns, infrastructure improvements and public education initiatives aimed at reducing fatalities and injuries on Kenyan roads. Authorities have repeatedly emphasised that compliance with traffic laws remains one of the most effective ways to improve safety for all road users.