Kipchumba Murkomen, the Transport Cabinet Secretary, has again suspended the retesting of commercial and public service vehicles (PSVs) for three months.
According to Murkomen, the extension will give his ministry enough time to reach an agreement with stakeholders on the retesting of the drivers.
“This is to notify members of the public hereby that the suspension of retesting of drivers who are holders of driving licenses with class endorsement(s); B3, D1, D2, D3, C, C1, CE, and CD has been extended for a period of 3 months effective from the date of this notice,” read the notice released on Friday, October 6.
Driver retesting began in early 2023, following a directive from CS Murkomen in April, but was later suspended after stakeholders objected.
Matatu drivers and owners had threatened to hold protests if the government followed its decision to retest all PSV drivers.
The main goal of Murkomen and transport officials conducting a retest was to reduce the increase in fatalities caused by road accidents.
Driver re-testing is a statutory requirement under Section 30(6) of the Traffic Act.
According to Section 39 of Kenya’s Traffic Act, a driver of a public service vehicle or a commercial vehicle must take a driving test every three years in order to renew their license.
