Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has extended the suspension of retesting for commercial and public service vehicle (PSV) drivers for an additional three months.
This extension aims to provide more time for the ministry to reach a consensus with stakeholders on the retesting process.
The suspension covers drivers with class endorsement(s) B3, D1, D2, D3, C, C1, CE, and CD, and it takes effect from the date of the announcement, which was made on Friday, October 6.
The retesting of drivers had initially started earlier in the year following a directive by the Transport CS in April but was subsequently halted due to protests from stakeholders.
Matatu drivers and owners had threatened to stage demonstrations against the government’s decision to retest all PSV drivers.
The initial suspension was set to end in September, but as an agreement has not yet been reached, drivers will have to wait until next year to determine the fate of the retesting.
The primary goal behind the retesting initiative, led by Murkomen and transport officials, was to address the rising number of fatalities resulting from road accidents.
Retesting of drivers is mandated by Section 30(6) of Kenya’s Traffic Act, which requires drivers of public service and commercial vehicles to undergo a driving test every three years when renewing their licenses.
