Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir has announced a set of new traffic regulations in response to the recent tragic road accidents in the country.
In a statement on Sunday, April 6, Chirchir said the government will implement the new rules through the State Department of Transport and the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).
Among the first areas of focus is the regulation of drink-driving.
According to Chirchir, it will now be an offence for any person to operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs beyond prescribed limits.
The CS noted that this new regulation will be backed by the deployment of up to 1,000 breathalyzers across the country.
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"Previously these regulations were gazetted before the input of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Transport which is a key stakeholder. Last month in March 2025, I signed and submitted the new regulations for re-gazettement and the same will be published this week and implementation will be immediate," the statement read.
In addition, the government will also enforce the Traffic (Motor Vehicle Inspection) Rules, 2025, to regulate how both public and private vehicles are inspected.
"The Traffic (Motor Vehicle Inspection Centre) Rules, 2025 will regulate inspection of private motor vehicles by private inspection centres and inspection of public service vehicles, school transportation, commercial vehicles and driving school motor vehicles by the National Transport and Safety Authority," the statement continued.
The government is also targeting the commercial transport sector with the Operation of Commercial Service Vehicles Rules, 2025.
This regulation introduces stricter control over the management and operation of commercial vehicles, especially those exceeding three tonnes in weight.
"The GoK through The National Transport and Safety Authority will regulate the operations of commercial vehicles management and operation of commercial service vehicles whose tare weight is above three thousand forty-eight kilograms operating on a public road in Kenya," the statement added
Chirchir also announced that a framework for school transportation has been introduced to provide comprehensive guidelines for the safe operation of school buses and the transportation of school children.
The CS made the announcement after visiting survivors of the grisly accident that occurred along the Kaplong-Kapkatet road on Saturday, April 5.
