Transport CS Murkomen halts drivers retraining

Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen at the scene of the Londiani Junction accident in Kericho County on July 1, 2023. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen has halted the retesting of drivers until September 1.

In a statement to newsrooms, Murkomen said that the decision has been made after the formation of a multiagency team from all stakeholders in the transport sector.

The decision by the government comes hours before matatu operators were set to down their tools in protesting the move which would have paralyzed transport all over the country.

With the move by Murkomen, it is expected the planned protest will not take place.

However, bodaboda operators and digital ride-hailing apps are set to go on strike protesting a hike in fuel prices which they say has affected their earnings.

The multi-agency team by the Ministry of Transport will be in place for 14 days and will include officials from all stakeholders whose names should be submitted by August 1.

They are expected to review grievances raised by drivers and conductors and submit their recommendations for further decision making.

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) said that drivers holding the B3, D1, D2, D3, C, C1, C2, CE, and CD licenses which include commercial and Public Service Vehicle (PSV) will be required to retake exams every three following the expiry of their licenses.

"The re-test shall be conducted every three years upon expiry of driving licences with the class endorsements. The whole process shall be conducted in all NTSA driver Test Units," NTSA said in a June statement.