The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) on Monday, April 17, explained the reason behind the rising cases of accidents in the country.
The Authority made the revelation when Principal Secretary for Transport Mohammed Daghar visited NTSA’s inspection centre at Likoni Road, Nairobi.
Daghar in a statement noted that there were many unroadworthy vehicles plying on different routes across the country.
“The vehicle inspection process has intensified across 17 inspection centres across the country.
“More vehicles are noted to be failing road-worthy inspection tests, a major contributor to road accidents in the country,” he explained why accidents were on the rise.
Daghar was quick to assure the public that the government had moved to take care of the crisis.
“The government is keen on upgrading all 17 motor vehicle centres across the country,” the PS indicated the measures put in place.
In addition, he revealed that the government was keen on partnering with the private sector into undertaking vehicle inspection and certification processes.
Daghar also explained that the government had intensified the printing of driving licences due to the installation of state-of-the-art equipment at the Likoni Road Centre.
According to NTSA, 1,070 people lost their lives in the first three months of 2023.
On Thursday, March 30, 2023, over 14 people died after a bus from Pwani University failed breaks colliding with a 14-seater matatu.
After the accident, Transport Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen explained that government would make regular car inspections mandatory for all vehicles in the country.
Immediately after the PS Daghar's remarks, Speed Governor and Road Safety Association, together with Road Safety Association of Kenya officials, on Tuesday, April 18 linked NTSA inspection flaws to a surge in cases of road accidents.
In a media interview, Edward Gitonga, the chairperson of Speed Governor and Road Safety Association indicated that some public service vehicles were colluding with NTSA officials to get inspection certificates.
"The buses are no longer going for inspections, they are just given letters allowing them to hit the road," he indicated the level of rot.
David Kiarie Njoroge, the chairperson of the Road Safety Association of Kenya, further faulted NTSA for removing inspection stickers and digitising the whole process.
"A vehicle going for inspection, a sticker must be there for the enforcer to know that this vehicle has been inspected but if you do not put a sticker and say it is online how many police have smartphones?" He mused.
