The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) in Kenya has issued a safety advisory urging parents to keep vehicle keys away from children under 18. The warning comes as part of efforts to enforce the country’s minimum driving age law during the festive season.
The NTSA emphasized that allowing or failing to prevent an unlicensed person from driving is a legal offense under Kenya’s traffic regulations. The advisory, published on November 2, 2026, on the NTSA’s X account, highlights the risks associated with underage driving, particularly during periods of increased mobility.
This initiative follows previous campaigns by the NTSA to reduce road accidents linked to reckless driving. The authority has previously reported a rise in incidents involving young drivers, especially during holidays when more people travel. The current advisory aims to reinforce existing laws and encourage greater parental responsibility in safeguarding road safety.
The minimum driving age in Kenya is set at 18, but enforcement has been inconsistent. The NTSA has called for stricter compliance, particularly in areas where underage driving is more common. The advisory also encourages parents to monitor their children’s access to vehicles and report any suspicious activity to local authorities.
The push for stricter enforcement aligns with broader national efforts to improve road safety. Recent data shows that road accidents involving young drivers have increased by 12% in the past year, prompting calls for more education and stricter penalties. The NTSA’s latest campaign is part of a multi-faceted strategy to address this growing concern.
