Bus driver fails retest after viral video of dangerous highway overtake

A bus driver captured in a viral video dangerously overtaking another lorry vehicle along a busy highway has failed a retest administered by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), prompting fresh calls for vigilance on Kenyan roads.

In an update issued by NTSA on Thursday, the authority confirmed that the driver underwent a driving retest but did not meet the required standards.

As a result, the driver will now be required to enrol in a licensed driving school for further training before becoming eligible to book and sit for another driving test.

“The driver underwent a retest yesterday and failed. He will be required to enroll in a licensed driving school for training before he is eligible to book and sit for a driving test. Only after passing the test will he qualify to acquire a DL,” NTSA said in a statement.

The action follows public outrage after a video circulated online showing the bus driver overtaking a lorry in a highly risky manoeuvre on what appears to be the Mombasa–Nairobi highway.

In the footage, the bus is seen overtaking despite the presence of another bus parked along the road shoulder, a move that many Kenyans described as reckless and potentially fatal.

Earlier, NTSA had said it had traced the driver through the bus operator’s Sacco and directed him to retake the driving test as part of enforcement measures.

At the time, the authority thanked members of the public for sharing the footage and assured Kenyans that action would be taken.

“We contacted the Sacco and the driver will undergo a retest today. We sincerely thank the public for your continued vigilance. Your support is invaluable in this shared responsibility,” NTSA said in its initial statement.

Alongside the enforcement action, NTSA has renewed its appeal to the public to report reckless driving on Kenyan roads.

The authority urged road users to provide critical details when reporting dangerous behaviour.

“Report any instances of reckless driving on our roads by providing details such as the vehicle's registration number, the location of the incident, as well as the date and time. We assure you that necessary action will be taken promptly,” NTSA said,.

The incident comes amid growing concerns over road safety, following a recent spike in traffic accidents.

NTSA has in recent weeks warned that reckless overtaking, speeding and driver indiscipline remain among the leading causes of fatal crashes on major highways.

There is a campaign to address the accident menace in the country.

Close to 5,000 people were killed in separate accidents in 2025.