Kisumu, 14th June 2025: Vivo Energy Kenya, the Company that distributes and markets Shell products and services in the country, and the National Transport Safety Authority (NTSA) held a medical screening exercise for school/learning institution transport drivers in Kisumu dubbed Fit2Drive Driver Wellness programme. The Fit2Drive driver wellness programme aims to promote and enhance the physical and mental well-being of school/learning institution drivers, ensuring they maintain optimal health and safety standards while transporting school children.

The programme follows the Look Out, Tuvuke Salama, Usalama Barabarani campaign, a successful joint road safety initiative between The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and Vivo Energy Kenya aimed at promoting a safe environment around schools. The campaign involved Reflective Lollipop STOP signs donations to schools located along high-risk roads and sensitisation of school children. The focus has now moved to the health of school/institution drivers. 

Why Fit2Drive? Research indicates that some health risk factors associated with driving include stress, muscular pains, long hours in a single-body posture, exposure to vibration, vehicle exhaust fumes, noise, fatigue, obesity, and self-medication. 

The school bus driver's job comes with immense responsibility and requires the utmost patience. "Transporting students to and from school safely requires the drivers to strictly adhere to road traffic rules and regulations, " said Eng. Francis Owuor, Distribution Manager of Vivo Energy Kenya. 

In addition to safe driving, dealing with students, parents, and school authorities requires a lot of effort. These occupational hazards take a toll on the school bus driver’s health. And their regular, hectic schedule relegates personal fitness to the lowest priority level." 

Eng. Owuor added that: “As a major player in the petroleum sector, championing and setting standards for safety, innovation, and quality, we remain resolute in our commitment to making a positive impact in the communities where we operate by implementing long-term sustainable development initiatives that focus on the health of our people and extend them to the communities. At Vivo Energy Kenya, we value safety on the roads. This starts with the Driver being fit to drive. Fitness encompasses physical and mental well-being. To ensure this, Vivo Energy Kenya drivers undergo fitness to drive medical examinations. This ensures optimal physical health, mental and cognitive fitness.”

The medical screening exercise saw the drivers from Kisumu and neighbouring counties undergo health talks, general health checkups and eye screening.  Specifically, the drivers were examined for blood pressure, sugar levels and eyesight among other areas.

Health and fitness are important factors that impact drivers’ safety on the road. Short-term and long-term illnesses, deteriorating eyesight, long-term physical conditions and mental health conditions for drivers should be screened regularly.

Safe driving requires skill, good judgement and constant alertness. Therefore, maintaining road safety is equally dependent on the health of the drivers. "Your health can have an impact on your driving, so it is important as a professional driver that you undergo regular medical screening," said NTSA Director General George Njao, urging drivers to frequently check their health.

As part of our commitment to promoting drivers' health and fitness, NTSA has been collaborating closely with Vivo Energy and other partners to expand access to medical screening services. Many drivers who were previously unaware of unknown underlying conditions are now aware, thanks to the initiative. Additionally, they have been able to get referral services or on-the-spot treatment. 

Drivers who participated in the programme received a free occupational health assessment courtesy of Vivo Energy Kenya, NTSA, Bloom Surgical hospital, Equity Afya, Kisumu Specialist hospital, Royal Dental clinic, Lions first sight eye hospital, Innovation eye center and Port Florence hospital Kisumu.

-ENDS-