The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) could soon undergo major changes should proposals by Limuru Member of Parliament John Chege sail through.
In the National Transport and Safety Authority Amendment Bill 2024, the legislator is proposing three major changes which include a change of name and added responsibilities with new fines.
Particularly, the Bill outlined the renaming of NTSA to the National Transportation and Safety Authority.
By substituting the word Transport and Transporation, NTSA will have its mandate extended to cover air and rail transport.
New Roles
Should the proposals sail through, NTSA will be mandated to oversee the safety of transportation across all sectors as they work closely with other regulators.
Currently, NTSA oversees road transportation. Kenya Railways is charged with the railway industry as the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) and Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) are mandated to oversee the air transport authority.
Additionally, the reformed NTSA will be tasked with investigating accidents involving aircraft and trains among others.
"The authority will investigate or cause to be investigated, in such detail as it shall prescribe, and determine the facts, conditions and circumstances and the cause or probable cause of any aircraft accident; road accident; railway accident; or marine accident occurring in Kenya's internal waters," read the proposal in part.
"The authority will also ensure safety and efficiency of the various forms of transportation in collaboration with the regulatory agencies responsible for transport by air, rail, transport by pipeline and relevant stakeholders."
The MP is also proposing to have NTSA tasked with protecting the rights of the consumers in terms of the costs and quality of the services.
Ksh50,000 Fine
Consequently, following the addition of new roles in accidents, it is proposed for individuals who fail to aid the body during an investigative exercise to pay a Ksh50,000 fine.
"A person shall not be excused from complying with a summons under this section on the grounds that compliance may incriminate the person or make the person liable to a penalty, but such information, documents or evidence shall not be admissible against that person for purposes other than proceedings under this Act.
" A person who, without lawful excuse, refuses or fails to comply with a summon under this section commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of not less than fifty thousand shillings or to imprisonment for a term not less than six months or to both," read the Bill in part.
Additionally, those who give false information during an investigation will be fined Ksh50,000.
