Scania East Africa one of the largest truck manufacturing companies has partnered with National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to launch the Kenyan edition of the Scania Driver’s competition.
The conference, which was attended by key stakeholders from Scania East Africa, NTSA and the Swedish Embassy also served as the launch of the road safety partnership between the vehicle manufacturer and the NTSA.
Speaking during the launch, the Managing Director of Scania East Africa, Per Holmstrom, said that the competition seeks to involve drivers of heavy commercial vehicles and passenger transport buses due to the importance that the two industries play in the day-to-day lives of Kenyans.
“Scania began conducting competitions all over the world to recruit and improve the status of drivers and how they are recognized,” said Mr. Holmstrom adding that “For the Kenyan edition, we have chosen to combine this competition with Road Safety and to create awareness in respect to fuel economy.”
The Director General of the NTSA Francis Meja welcomed the initiative by Scania East Africa and added that Kenyan truck drivers play a major role in the economic development of the country.
“Kenya is strategically placed as it serves landlocked countries within the East African Region. By default, it is these drivers that have contributed to over 60% of GDP that is generated by the Northern Corridor. This initiative will go a long way in encouraging drivers to be more responsible.”
The Swedish Ambassador Johan Borgstam said the Swedish government is keen to aid the government of Kenya in reducing road fatalities in Kenya.
“Last year in Sweden we had only 260 fatalities from road accidents. We at the embassy are aware of NTSA’s commitment to reducing road fatalities and therefore we are willing to collaborate with them in their road safety efforts,” said ambassador Borgstam.
Participation is open to any licensed driver who is a citizen of Kenya or is a non-citizen residing in Kenya. Prospective applicants must also be employed truck or bus drivers either working for a company or self-employed with a valid license to drive heavy commercial vehicles.
Participating drivers should also possess good knowledge of transportation regulations in Kenya and be familiar with heavy trucks or buses of any brand or make but employees of Scania may not compete.
The Scania Driver competition will be held in three stages, application, regionals and finals. During the application period, which will run between the 1st and 31st of May, drivers will register for the competition and take a theory test which will aid in the selection for the regional rounds.
The regional rounds will be held between the July 23 of and the August 13. They will begin on the July 23 in Eldoret before moving on to Nairobi on the August 6 and concluding on August 13 in Mombasa.
The national final will be held at the parking area of the Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday the 1st of October. Winners of the bus and truck categories will take home a cash prize worth sh 300, 000.