The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has raised concerns over growing safety risks of students under the influence of drugs or alcohol while being transported in school vehicles.
In a statement issued on Thursday, April 30, 2026, the authority called on Kenyans to report suspicious or confirmed cases of substance use involving school-going children in transit.
“Safety of our children on the road is our collective responsibility. Report any incidents of alcohol or drug use in vehicles transporting students from school”, part of the statement read.
In a case on which a school vehicle has been flagged for potential drug usage, NTSA and relevant agencies will initiate an immediate investigation involving the school, transport operator, and driver.
Depending on the findings, the vehicle operator can be summoned for compliance checks, while the driver may face disciplinary action, suspension, or revocation of licensing if negligence or complicity is established.
Reports indicate that there is a very troubling pattern, where“one in every three secondary school student may have experimented with or used a drug at least once.”
The problem is deeply worrying amongst university students, with NACADA attributing with 45.6 per cent usage of drugs.
According to reports, among the abused substances include alcohol, tobacco, khat, cannabis, and prescription drugs like codeine across the three categories.
