The Ministry of Transport has announced new regulations that would grant the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) greater powers, in a move aimed at enhancing the Authority’s operational standards.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, on Wednesday, announced plans to introduce new penalties for motorists, which could potentially result in the suspension or revocation of licences for non-compliant drivers.
In a gazette notice dated June 18, the CS revealed the government’s intention to amend the NTSA Act by introducing stricter licensing requirements for commercial vehicle owners, operators, and drivers.
The regulations would also introduce safety and compliance obligations for commercial vehicles, with plans underway to enhance the use of safety equipment such as speed governors, telematics, and underride protection devices among motorists.
“Under section 54 of the National Transport and Safety Authority Act. The main objective of the Regulations is to enhance the regulation, licensing and operational standards of commercial service vehicles in Kenya to promote accountability, safety and professionalism in road transport,” read part of the regulations.
The proposed NTSA regulations also seek to introduce rules governing parking, vehicle breakdowns, and accident reporting, as well as define cargo loading and securement standards for motorists.
Additionally, the regulations aim to empower the NTSA to conduct safety audits on vehicles and grant the Authority the power to tow stalled vehicles. The rules would also regulate driver behaviour and recommend safety training.
According to CS Chirchir, NTSA would be granted the right to impose hefty fines, suspend and revoke the license of motorists who fail to adhere to the aforementioned regulations.
However, while the regulations seek to impose stern measures such as license suspension and revocation, the proposed law will create a framework for drivers to make appeals and ensure proper recordkeeping.
Kenyans who are likely to be affected by the new regulations were invited to submit their written comments within 14 days from the date of publication of the gazette notice.
CS Chirchir noted that Kenyans can directly submit their comments to NTSA through comments@ntsa.go.ke or address their plights to Transport Ministry offices at Transcom House located along Ngong Road.
The new gazetted rule comes four months after Limuru MP John Kiragu tabled a bill before parliament that sought to expand NTSA's powers and consolidate all transport agencies under the Authority's jurisdiction.
The bill was tabled following a surge in road accidents across the country, with the proposed law aimed at primarily enhancing road safety among road users
