A Mombasa-based technology firm is reshaping Kenya’s transport sector with artificial intelligence-powered systems that monitor driver behaviour, curb fuel theft and improve fleet accountability.
Nebsam Digital Solutions, working in partnership with the National Transport and Safety Authority and students from technical colleges, has developed transport monitoring gadgets that fleet operators, schools and logistics companies are increasingly adopting to cut losses and enhance road safety.
The company’s director, Samuel Kanini, said the technology combines AI-enabled cameras, vehicle tracking systems and speed monitoring tools to identify dangerous driving habits before they escalate into accidents.
“Our goal is to save lives by helping transporters and schools monitor drivers and vehicles more effectively,” Kanini said during a product presentation.
The video telematics system deploys two cameras, one facing the driver and another facing the road enabling simultaneous monitoring of driver conduct and road conditions. The system can instantly detect when a driver is dozing off, yawning excessively, driving without a seat belt or using a mobile phone. Alerts are immediately transmitted to transport managers or control offices for action.
On the fuel management front, the company’s monitoring solution tracks every litre of fuel consumed and compares usage against distance covered and vehicle load. The system integrates a fuel level sensor installed inside the tank, a vehicle tracking unit and a mobile monitoring platform delivering real-time data.
Kelvin Oyugi, a technical officer at the company who benefited from the firm’s youth training programme, said the fuel sensor communicates with the tracking unit via Bluetooth and runs on an independent battery, making tampering difficult.
“The system helps transporters know the exact fuel consumption of each truck whether loaded or empty. It also sends instant SMS alerts whenever fuel is added or drained from the tank,” Oyugi explained.
The technology addresses a long-standing problem among long-distance transporters with drivers inflating fuel purchase claims. Fleet owner Samuel Ndegwa, who runs 20 trucks under Gmax, said the system has transformed his operations since he installed it three years ago.
“Before, drivers would claim they needed 420 litres for a Nairobi trip when the vehicle only required 360 litres,” he said, adding that each truck now saves between Sh5,000 and Sh7,000 per trip. Nebsam says it currently serves more than 70 client companies nationwide.
Beyond fleet management, the firm has introduced smart school bus systems fitted with face-recognition cameras to ensure only authorised students board vehicles, while simultaneously monitoring driver behaviour during transit.
Transporter Charles Kimani, who installed video telematics in his vehicles, said the technology had reduced traffic offences and given him real-time visibility of his drivers.
“I have the comfort of knowing the location of my driver and vehicle by monitoring on the phone in real time,” he said.
The initiative is also creating employment for young Kenyans through technical training programmes linked to the transport technology sector, positioning youth as both beneficiaries and active contributors to Kenya’s digital transport transformation.
by Ramadhan Nassib
