NTSA OVERHAUL

The Kenya Road Safety Association (KRSA) has issued a call for a comprehensive overhaul of the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), raising alarm over a surge in road carnage cases despite the authority’s mandate to ensure road safety.

KRSA’s criticism targets the NTSA’s alleged lack of commitment to improving road safety and its failure to address a deeply rooted culture of corruption within the organization.

KRSA claims that corruption within the NTSA is a significant factor in the ongoing road safety crisis. They allege that individuals within the authority are complicit in allowing unroadworthy vehicles to operate, undermining the safety of Kenyan roads. As a result, the association is demanding a complete cleanup of the NTSA’s top management, insisting that only a thorough reformation can restore public confidence and effectively address the systemic issues plaguing the authority.

Supporting their call for drastic action, KRSA points to recent NTSA data covering the period from January 1 to April 1. According to the NTSA, there were 7,198 recorded road accidents during this time frame. The statistics are grim: 1,189 Kenyans lost their lives in these accidents, while 3,316 sustained serious injuries, and 2,693 suffered minor injuries. These figures highlight the urgent need for effective measures to curb road accidents and enhance road safety.

KRSA argues that the high number of accidents and casualties is indicative of a failure in the NTSA’s oversight and regulatory functions. The association emphasizes that without a strong commitment to rooting out corruption and enforcing stringent safety standards, the NTSA cannot fulfill its mission to protect road users and reduce traffic-related fatalities and injuries.

The association’s call for an overhaul underscores a growing public concern over road safety in Kenya. It also reflects a broader demand for accountability and transparency within public institutions tasked with safeguarding citizens’ lives. As KRSA continues to push for reforms, the spotlight remains on the NTSA to respond decisively to these allegations and demonstrate a genuine commitment to transforming Kenya’s road safety landscape.