Following increased accidents involving school buses, the National Transport and Safety Authority now wants them redesigned to ensure the safety of those onboard.

In a notice, the authority listed some requirements that all school buses must meet, among them being fitted with fictional speed limiters.

To monitor the vehicle’s speed, the speed limiters will be integrated with the NTSA Intelligent Road Safety Management System (IRSMS).

In addition, the authority demands that all school buses must have a valid inspection certificate, valid Road Service Licenses (RSL), and a valid vehicle insurance cover.

Other requirements include school buses being fitted with functional seat belts to ensure the safety of those onboard. NTSA also warned schools against overloading noting this will lead to legal actions.

According to NTSA, drivers tasked with ferrying learners will be required to have a valid Driver’s Licence as well as a valid Public Service Vehicle (PSV) badge. Additionally, the class endorsement must match the vehicle being driven.

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“School administration must put in place measures to ensure full Compliance with the requirements of the Traffic Act and the PSV regulations.

“We urge all motorists to be cautious and mindful of other road users as children go back to school,” read the statement in part.

NTSA’s directive follows a series of accidents involving school buses that the country has witnessed in recent weeks.

In March, a Kenyatta University bus collided with a truck in Voi leaving 11 students dead and 42 others injured.

The latest data from NTSA indicate that 7,198 Kenyans were involved in road accidents between January 1 and April 1, 2024.

This is an increase of 1,908 compared to the 5,290 reported in a similar period last year. NTSA notes that 1,189 of the 7,198 people died from road accidents, 3,316 were seriously injured, and 2,693 suffered from minor injuries.