Editor's Review
KFCB has intensified inspections of PSVs across the country in a nationwide crackdown targeting inappropriate audiovisual content displayed on screens fitted inside matatus.
The Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) has intensified inspections of Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) across the country in a nationwide crackdown targeting inappropriate audiovisual content displayed on screens fitted inside matatus and other public transport vehicles.
In a statement on Tuesday, November 10, the Board said the exercise is being conducted in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, including the National Police Service (NPS).
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KFCB warned PSV operators against exposing children to inappropriate material, noting that more minors were expected to use public transport, either travelling alone or accompanied by their families during the holiday season.
"With schools closed for the long holidays and the December festivities approaching, the use of public transport by children travelling alone or with their families is expected to increase.
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"Operators of PSVs are therefore cautioned against exhibiting inappropriate audiovisual content that may expose children to harmful material," the statement read.
KFCB also urged members of the public to help identify and report cases where children were exposed to unsuitable audiovisual content in public transport vehicles and other public or private spaces.
"KFCB calls on members of the public to remain vigilant and report cases of minors being exposed to inappropriate audiovisual content in public transport vehicles and other public or private spaces.
"Such cases can be reported to the Board through [email protected] or its social media platforms for appropriate action," the statement added.
KFCB noted that safeguarding children from harmful audiovisual material required cooperation between regulators, transport operators, parents, passengers and other stakeholders.
"Protecting children from exposure to inappropriate audiovisual content, both online and offline, is a collective responsibility that requires the vigilance and active participation of all stakeholders," the statement concluded.
This comes a week after NTSA outlined offences and safety requirements targeted in a new day and night crackdown on motorists.
In a notice on Tuesday, October 27, the authority said the campaign, dubbed Msimu bila ajali, Usalama Barabarani, involves sensitisation of drivers and passengers, alongside safety checks conducted along major transport corridors.
"As part of ongoing proactive measures to disrupt risky behaviours and prevent loss of lives on our roads, the Authority, in collaboration with law enforcement, has launched the Msimu bila ajali, Usalama Barabarani campaign," the notice read.
NTSA said the operation would focus on identifying motorists who violate traffic regulations and addressing risky behaviour that contributes to road crashes.
The authority also explained why the operation places particular emphasis on night safety checks, citing the increased danger associated with evening and late-night travel.
"Night safety checks have been prioritised because evening and late-night hours are statistically the deadliest periods on our roads. By allocating additional resources during these high-risk hours, we can maximise efforts to disrupt the critical risk factors that cause preventable road traffic crashes," the notice added.
Among the offences and safety violations targeted in the crackdown are speeding, failure to comply with speed limiter requirements, missing or invalid transport documents, overloading, driving without valid documentation, failure to wear seatbelts and drink-driving.
Speed violation detection is one of the key areas of focus, with authorities monitoring vehicle speeds in real time to identify motorists who exceed the prescribed limits.
NTSA has warned motorists that official speed violation notifications are issued exclusively through SMS messages bearing the sender ID NTSA.
Drivers have been advised against responding to suspicious messages from numbers claiming to represent the authority and urged to report such messages promptly.
The crackdown will also examine the functionality of speed limiters fitted in vehicles and whether the devices continuously transmit information to the Intelligent Road Safety Management System (IRSMS).
