NTSA Launches "Msimu Bila Ajali, Usalama Barabarani" Campaign With Day and Night Safety Checks

What Is the Msimu Bila Ajali, Usalama Barabarani Campaign?

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) describes the campaign as part of ongoing proactive measures to disrupt risky behaviours and prevent loss of life on the roads. It has two parts. The first is sensitisation of drivers and passengers. The second is safety checks carried out during the day and at night along major transport corridors.

The Authority says both day and night checks follow strict operational protocols. These are meant to protect motorists, manage traffic flow and keep officers safe.

Why Is NTSA Focusing on Night Safety Checks?

According to NTSA, evening and late-night hours are statistically the deadliest periods on Kenyan roads. The Authority says it is allocating additional resources to these high-risk hours so it can disrupt the critical risk factors behind preventable crashes.

What Will Officers Check at the Roadside?

NTSA's safety compliance checklist lists seven areas:

1. Speed violation detection: Real-time monitoring of vehicle speeds.

2. Speed limiter functionality: Checks that the speed limiter works and transmits continuously to the Intelligent Road Safety Management System (IRSMS).

3. Long-distance public transport operator documentation: This includes the passenger manifest, the driver log (used to monitor driving hours), licensed route compliance, the Road Service Licence (RSL) and the validity of inspection stickers, among others.

4. Vehicle capacity control: Compliance with authorised passenger capacity or permitted load weight limits.

5. Driver documentation: Validity of the Driving Licence (DL) and the PSV badge.

6. Passenger compliance: NTSA notes that many passengers ignore seatbelts. It says seatbelts keep occupants secure, prevent ejection and reduce fatal and serious injuries in a crash, and asks that all passengers buckle up throughout the journey.

7. Breathalyser screening: To detect drink-driving cases.

How Will NTSA Speed Violation Notices Be Sent?

NTSA says speed violation notifications are issued solely through the SMS ID NTSA. Motorists are advised not to respond to suspicious messages from numbers claiming to belong to NTSA, and to report them promptly.

What Should Vehicle Owners Do About Speed Limiters?

NTSA is asking owners to log in to the upgraded IRSMS portal at https://irsmowners.ntsa.go.ke and link their vehicle(s) to a licensed speed limiter vendor. The IRSMS user guide is at https://ntsa.go.ke/irsms , and support is available at irsmsqueries@ntsa.go.ke.