Plans to furnish more powers to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) received a boost after the Bill bearing the proposed changes entered its first reading on Wednesday, February 15.
The National Transport And Safety Authority (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 43 Of 2022) was read for the first time as MPs reviewed pending issues tabled on the floor before the recess.
According to the Bill which was tabled in October 2022 by Ruiru MP Simon King'ara, county governments would play a critical role in regulating the two and three-wheeled public service motorcycle taxis.
"The principal object of this Bill is to amend the National Transport and Safety Authority Act No 33 of 2012 to assign additional functions to the National Transport and Safety Authority; the proposed additional functions," the bill stated in part
Besides incorporating county governments, the Bill seeks to amend section 4 of the National Transport and Safety Authority Act 2012 by introducing regulations for two and three-wheeled public motorcycle taxis.
The King'ara-sponsored Bill also sought to grant NTSA more powers by establishing systems and procedures for the regional registration and licencing of two and three-wheeled public motorcycle taxis.
Additionally, the Bill sought to empower NTSA by establishing procedures for regional registration of drivers involved in boda boda and tuktuk business.
King'ara also pushed for NTSA to issue badges to correctly identify the drivers involved in the boda boda industry at county level to further streamline the sector.
It also aims to ensure safe, reliable and efficient road transport services for all the players involved.
However, the proposed changes would have to follow the procedures stipulated in parliament before being rejected or approved.
The first reading came days after NTSA opened application for new generation number plates. Motorbikes and tuktuks were also allowed to apply for the new plates.
