Kimunya launches roads authority

Transport Minister Amos Kimunya. (Photo:Standard)

By Standard Digital Reporter

NAIROBI, KENYA: The State has launched the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) today, tasking it with managing road transport and minimising loss of lives through accidents.

The road authority was formed in accordance with the National Transport and Safety Authority Act.

Speaking at the launch, Transport Minister Amos Kimunya said that non adherence to traffic laws has caused numerous accidents in the country.

“This (impunity on the roads) has resulted in a very high number of traffic accidents with an average of 3,000 lives being lost annually,” Kimunya said.

According to the Traffic Police Department, there were 3,142 fatal accidents in the year 2012 alone. An additional 4,369 people were injured as a result of road crashes.

Underscoring the grave impact of unruliness on the roads, the Transport Minister said the authority had weighty and important task in their hands.

He encouraged the team not to be swayed by changes in the political landscape saying that the laws are not affected by these changes.

“There will be a change of guard. But the laws as promulgated by parliament, until they are changed by parliament, have to be implemented to the letter,” He said.

Hinting at dissent by some stakeholders in the transport industry, Kimunya told the NTSA officials to expect resistance from those who are cashing in on the chaos in the transport sector.

“Regulators are never liked, so you should expect more resistance as you start implementing the laws,” Kimunya said.

The authority will advise the Government on matters relating to road transport and safety with an aim of reducing the number of road fatalities. In collaboration with other stakeholders, they will ensure effective and safe operations within the road transport sector.