This archive report was first published on 1 August 2019.
On August 1, 2019, the Kenyan government made a significant move towards improving road safety by shutting down over 300 driving schools that failed to meet the required standards.
The decision was made by Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i, who stated that some of the schools lacked sufficient training aids, grounds, and hired incompetent or questionable instructors.
Additionally, some of the schools were found in suspect locations, violating the Traffic Act. The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has since announced plans to provide a new curriculum for driving schools, to be offered in TVET institutions.
According to NTSA, a total of 1,859 people have lost their lives on Kenyan roads since the beginning of the year, surpassing last year's toll of 1,760. The public transport sector has been identified as the biggest culprit, with rogue matatu drivers being responsible for many of the fatal accidents.
The reforms in the driving school section are crucial in preventing preventable deaths, but they should be just the beginning of a broader campaign to promote and sustain a road safety culture. Passengers and pedestrians must also play a role in enhancing their own safety on the roads by refusing to let others endanger their lives.
