The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has directed motorcycle assemblers in Kenya to provide standard-compliant helmets with every new motorcycle sold.
The authority said the move is aimed at reducing deaths and serious injuries involving motorcycle riders and their passengers, commonly known as pillion passengers.
NTSA Director General Nashon Kondiwa issued the directive on Tuesday, September 8, during a meeting with members of the Motorcycle Assemblers Association of Kenya (MAAK).
Kondiwa urged motorcycle manufacturers and assemblers to take a more active role in promoting road safety instead of leaving the responsibility to riders and enforcement agencies.
NTSA said providing approved helmets and supporting road safety awareness campaigns could help reduce the number of people killed or injured in motorcycle crashes.
“The role of motorcycle assemblers in supporting road safety awareness programmes and in issuing standard helmets [has the potential] to reduce fatalities and injuries among riders and pillion passengers,” the authority said.
The directive comes at a time when motorcycle users continue to account for a large number of road deaths in Kenya.
In 2025, 1,148 motorcyclists and 432 pillion passengers were killed in road crashes, according to data cited by the authority.
NTSA said reducing the deaths will require closer cooperation between the regulator and the motorcycle industry, rather than relying only on enforcement after motorcycles are already on the roads.
The authority has also reminded school administrators and transporters to ensure vehicles used to carry learners meet all the required safety standards.
School transport vehicles must have a valid inspection certificate, Road Service Licence (RSL) and insurance cover.
“All school administrators and transporters are reminded to ensure their vehicles have a valid inspection certificate, RSL and insurance,” NTSA said.
The announcement follows increasing worries about the number of road accidents that have been witnessed with public service vehicles and motorists.
According to a report on Tuesday, two people died in an accident involving two PSV vehicles and a motorcycle in Kisumu.
Just days before that, at least eight people died in an accident involving a PSV and a saloon car along Mombasa Road.
NTSA is now calling on operators, manufacturers and other road users to play a greater role in improving safety on Kenyan roads.