By Afrireport 
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has suspended the operating licences of four public transport operators.
This is after a spate of fatal road crashes during the December 2025 festive season, a period traditionally marked by heavy travel across the country.
In a statement released on Monday, NTSA said the suspensions followed investigations into multiple crashes that claimed dozens of lives and left many others injured.
The authority noted that the accidents involved vehicles operated by the affected companies and raised serious concerns about compliance with road safety regulations.
According to NTSA, preliminary findings pointed to a combination of factors, including speeding, driver fatigue, poor vehicle maintenance, and failure to adhere to set passenger capacity limits.
The authority added that some of the vehicles involved had prior records of traffic violations, including expired inspection certificates and non compliance with safety requirements.
The festive season unfortunately recorded an unacceptable number of fatalities linked to public service vehicles that blatantly ignored safety standards,” NTSA Director-General said, emphasizing that the suspensions were meant to protect the public and send a strong warning to all operators. “No business interest can outweigh the value of human life.”
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The affected operators have been ordered to immediately cease operations pending further audits.
NTSA has also directed them to present their fleets for comprehensive inspection, retrain drivers, and demonstrate full compliance with safety regulations before any consideration is given to reinstating their licences.
The December 2025 festive period saw a significant spike in road accidents nationwide, as millions of Kenyans traveled to celebrate Christmas and New Year.
Traffic police reports indicate that long-distance routes were particularly affected, with night travel, overcrowding, and reckless driving emerging as major risk factors.
Road safety advocates have welcomed NTSA’s move, calling it long overdue.
They argue that tougher enforcement and consistent penalties are necessary to curb the culture of impunity among some public transport operators.
Meanwhile, NTSA has urged passengers to play their part by reporting reckless driving and avoiding vehicles that appear unsafe or overloaded.
The authority reiterated its commitment to intensifying road safety checks, especially during peak travel periods, to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
