Kipchumba Murkomen, Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport has ordered for the return of mandatory re-testing of all Public Service Vehicles (PSV) drivers before renewal of licenses.

In a statement to newsrooms on Tuesday, March 19, CS Murkomen said it was part of efforts to curb rising accident cases.

“The re-testing of all PSV and heavy commercial drivers, that had been postponed after an outcry from the sector, will now be implemented without further delay. All stakeholders are expected to comply and cooperate,” read part of his statement.

The CS further introduced mandatory medical testing for all drivers before issuance of new licenses.

“NTSA to put in place measures for the implementation of medical testing of all drivers as required by Section 105A(1) and (2) and Rule 30(4) of the Traffic (Driving Schools, Driving Instructors and Driving License) rules 202 before the issuance of any new driving licenses and renewal thereof to ensure that only drivers who are medically fit are licensed to drive.”

National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) officers will also return to the roads after Murkomen dismissed Uhuru Kenyatta’s order in 2018.

“We are going to establish a mechanism where the previous directive to remove NTSA from enforcement will be vacated and a collaborative regime between NTSA and NPS will be put in place for a more efficient enforcement.”

In 2018, then President Uhuru Kenyatta stated that NTSA officers should leave the duty of manning roads to traffic police.

He was speaking in Meru during the burial of African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA) bishops who were killed in a horrific car crash.

The accident happened when their saloon car collided head-on with another vehicle at Wamumu on the Embu Makutano road.

At the time, Uhuru also urged drivers to exercise caution on roads and pleaded with passengers not to complain of getting late but focus on reaching their destinations safely.