Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen on Saturday, September 23 directed the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to clear the backlog of driving licences and digital number plates with specific timelines.
In a statement after an impromptu visit to NTSA offices in Nairobi, the CS directed that all processed digital number plates be issued by Monday next week
He indicated that a number of motorists were still waiting for the number plates yet they had already been processed.
He blamed the delays on the bureaucratic processes that the agency had put in place. Murkomen cited the case of Maurice - a Mombasa-based motorist who was yet to receive his new plates despite having been informed about the completion of the process.
"I have instructed officials at NTSA - Nairobi to fast-track the delivery process and ensure Maurice receives his digital number plate by Monday next week. This principle should apply to all our customers," he ordered.
On the other hand, he ordered that the backlog of driving licences be cleared in the next 14 days.
"It is sad to note that over 50,000 Driving Licence applications, some dating back to September 2022, are yet to be processed.
"I have given NTSA two weeks to clear this backlog, notify Kenyans of their nearest collection points, and put in place the necessary mechanisms to speed up the turnaround time for processing and issuance of DLs and digital number plates," he directed.
Pending logbooks that were yet to be processed will also be cleared within the two-week timelines.
Murkomen issued the directives after making an impromptu visit to NTSA offices following complaints over delays in delivery of key services.
The CS maintained that he was keen on ensuring that Kenyans get quality services adding that mechanisms will be put in place to ensure that the delays do not recur again.
On the other hand, he noted that more changes would be made to the DL printer which lacks the capacity to print the numerous applications made timely.
