A NTSA vehicle inspector in Nairobi. Over 50 such inspectors will be moved in the staff changes. [File, Standard]

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has announced a major shake-up of its top management.

The reorganization includes the transfer of 227 employees from the motor vehicle inspection and registration departments.

This involved the transfer of sixteen staff in the Motor Vehicle Inspector I (MVC In-Charges) category, 49 Motor Vehicles Inspectors II and III.

The biggest transfer will hit officers and clerks with 162 being moved.

The changes come in the wake of increased scrutiny of the agency following mounting cases of double registration of vehicles.

NTSA chairman Jackson Waweru said that key management aimed at “improving our capacity to meet stakeholder expectations” would be advertised in the coming weeks.

The positions to be filled include Director of Registration and Licensing, Director Road Safety, Deputy Directory Supply Chain, Deputy Director Motor Vehicle Inspection and Manager Supply Chain and Manager ICT.

Waweru said that the changes would enable NTSA to “enhance our operational effectiveness and delight our customers.”

“Following a thorough review of our operations, the Board of National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) is pleased to announce staff reorganisation aligned to the Authority’s strategic plan and aimed at positioning the Authority to optimize our services and be more responsive to stakeholder needs.”

In January detectives raided NTSA offices seeking answers on double registration of vehicles.

The raids came in the wake of police investigations that a vehicle used to ferry terrorists to the dusitD2 complex in which over 20 Kenyans were killed was fraudulently registered.

Consequently, scores of NTSA employees working in the inspection and registration of motor vehicle departments, information technology and licensing were arrested.

At least six NTSA officials were arraigned in court and charged with being part of a network that made fake motor vehicle plates. 

The positions advertised are due to resignations at the top and also end of tenure for some.

For example, the office of Deputy Director of Road Safety was left vacant following the resignation of Njeri Waithaka who resigned shortly following the police raids.

The Deputy Director, Supply Chain Management also fell vacant after a resignation, so was the case for the office of the Manager, ICT infrastructure Services.

The term of the current Director, Registration and Licensing is ending in July 2019.

Other positions, that have been vacant, also advertised include Principal Officer Motor Vehicle Inspection.

Waweru said that the NTSA Board was committed in ensuring enhanced accountability and performance by NTSA.