The National Transport and Safety Authority has announced that they are targeting a 50 percent reduction of traffic-related deaths this year.
The Ministry of Interior and coordination today issued statement in regard to the same target by the NTSA.
This comes after Interior CS Fred Matiangi had a meeting with the new NTSA Board members at Harambee House earlier yesterday.
“Our aim is to have better road manners and near zero traffic-related deaths.” Interior CS Fred Matiang’i stated.
He also added that there is no place for laggards in the revamped National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) as the government seeks to institutionalize better road safety measures in the country.
Matiangi stated that as a country, Kenya has the capacity to achieve and sustain safe roads with near-zero deaths.
He also noted that there is no more room for mistakes at NTSA and he assured that the government will give the new Board their full support as they endeavour to institutionalize better road safety measures in the country.
Speaking after his first meeting with them yesterday since the State agency was moved to his docket in January this year, Dr. Matiang’i exuded confidence that their education, skills, and experience match their higher calling to give Kenyans first-class services.
“Honest and loyal leadership is what Kenyans are demanding, and you must be directly accountable to them by enforcing all the laws ruthlessly and applying the standards without compromising,” the Cabinet Secretary emphasized.
Dr. Matiang’i took issue with the improprieties reported at the State agency in the recent past and warned that any official found colluding with criminals to bypass the formal licensing procedures will not be spared or pardoned.
He divulged that investigations against individuals suspected of engaging in cloning of number plates and fraudulent registration of vehicles are at an advanced Stage, adding that those found culpable will face the law.
“Such irregularities have a ripple effect on our national security the recent Dusit Hotel Complex attack is a case in point,” the Cabinet Secretary noted, adding that the syndicate has eaten into the country’s overall revenue collection target.
The CS challenged them to conduct an in depth evaluation of the Authority so as to ensure its fit for purpose and align its operations with the Government’s efforts geared towards establishing a safe road transport system.
He said: “Our statistics on road accidents does not reflect the number of roadworthy vehicles currently registered in our systems. These discrepancies imply that there could be several unroad worthy vehicles operating after passing our inspection tests irregularly.”
He also urged them to make a habit of getting out of office to gather first-hand information on issuance of car plates, issuance and renewal of driving licenses, and inspection of vehicles among other operations that fall within the mandate of the Authority.
H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta moved the Authority to the Ministry of Interior to synchronize information-sharing and harmonize its operations with those of other agencies.
Dr. Matiang’i assured the new team of the Government’s full support and urged them to leverage their education and experience to make proactive decisions that will complement the existing road safety measures.
NTSA targeting 50 percent reduction of traffic-related deaths this year. pic.twitter.com/me0styGwSu
— InteriorCNG Ministry (@InteriorKE) February 12, 2019