Do you know that all operations of the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) are now under the watch of interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i? Well, this comes after President Uhuru Kenyatta’s new move to reorganise his administration and establish a four-tier executive authority.
The latest changes bring Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi to the heart of the executive.
In a second executive order regarding the management and coordination of national transport and safety, Uhuru moved all NTSA operations to the Interior Ministry.
Late last year, Matiang’i spearheaded a massive crackdown on the chaotic matatu industry and pushed for strict enforcement of the Michuki rules to restore order on Kenyans roads.
He even went to an extend of taking impromptu road rides just to ensure that the rules were being followed as directed! Didn’t you see him boarding matatus?
Well, Matiang’i’s bold move was interpreted by some quarters as encroaching on the mandate of the Transport ministry.
Under the new directive, the Interior Ministry will oversee the registration and licensing of vehicles, inspection, regulation of public service vehicles and implementation of new curriculum for driving schools.
The Transport department will remain with a leaner responsibility, including national roads development policy, mechanical and transport services, as well as policy on axle load control.