Editor's Review

The new plan comes days after CS Murkomen ordered the immediate reassessment of drivers operating Public Service Vehicles (PSVs).

The Ministry of Transport led by Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has received support from World Bank in its bid to re-test drivers.

In a tender notice published by the National Transport and Safety Authority on Tuesday, March 26, the Ministry of Transport has received credit from the World Bank.

The Ministry of Transport intends to use part of the funds to acquire driver testing and simulation machines which will be installed in Thika.

"The Government of Kenya has received financing from the World Bank in the form of a credit towards the cost of the Horn of Africa Gateway Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds toward payments under the contract for Supply, Delivery, Installation, Commissioning and Testing of Six (6) Driver Testing Simulation Equipment at Thika," the tender notice read in part.

File image of matatus parked in Nairobi CBD. PHOTO | COURTESY

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"For this contract, the Borrower shall process the payments using the Direct Payment disbursement method, as defined in the World Bank’s Disbursement Guidelines for Investment Project Financing," it added.

Bidding will be conducted through Open National Competitive Procurement using Request for Bids (RFB) as specified in the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers- Procurement in Investment Projects Financing” August 2018, updated November 2020 and updated September 2023 (“Procurement Regulations”), and is open to all eligible Bidders as defined in the Procurement Regulations, NTSA explained.

The new plan comes days after CS Murkomen ordered the immediate reassessment of drivers operating Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) and heavy commercial vehicles in response to the recent surge in road accidents countrywide which have claimed numerous lives and left many seriously injured.

CS highlighted that the driver re-evaluation exercise, initially slated for June 2023 before being moved to October last year and subsequently suspended, was long overdue, stressing that stakeholders are expected to comply with the directive.

"The re-testing of all PSV and heavy commercial drivers, which had been postponed after an outcry from the sector, will now be implemented without further delay. All stakeholders are expected to comply and cooperate," said Murkomen.

With the World Bank's financial support, the Ministry of Transport is expected to expedite the process.