Festive Tragedies Prompt NTSA to Ground Four PSV Operators in Safety Clampdown

Kenya, January 19 2026 - The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has moved decisively against unsafe public transport operations, suspending four public service vehicle (PSV) operators after a string of deadly road crashes during the December 2025 festive season and early January 2026.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Authority said investigations into the accidents revealed serious breaches of safety rules, particularly on speed control and driver conduct. As a result, operating licences for Monna Comfort Sacco, Greenline Company Limited, Naekana Route 14 Sacco Ltd and Uwezo Coast Shuttle were suspended with immediate effect.

“The Authority shall conduct safety compliance audits on the operators before their licences are reinstated,” NTSA said, underlining that the suspensions will remain in force until all conditions are met. It added that enforcement agencies had been notified to ensure the directive is fully implemented, warning that vehicles found operating in defiance of the suspension would be impounded.

At the same time, NTSA placed Guardian Coach Limited and Nanyuki Express Cab Services Ltd on a 21-day notice, directing them to meet strict safety conditions or face similar sanctions. Both companies were linked to fatal crashes in early January along major highways.

The Authority noted that the action was informed by non-compliance with KS 2295-2023-a, a Kenya Bureau of Standards requirement governing maximum road speed limiters, alongside other violations of PSV regulations. NTSA also ordered all affected operators to disengage drivers involved in speed violations and fatal crashes from driving duties.

In a further tough measure, the PSV endorsement classes of drivers implicated in the crashes were cancelled, with their driving licences suspended for 90 days. “After the suspension period, the affected drivers will be required to undergo a mandatory re-test before being allowed back on the road,” NTSA said.