New motor boss reports to work as Kirgotty stays put

By CYRUS OMBATI

The new Registrar of Motor Vehicles Francis ole Meja has reported to office amid silent wars between Ministry of Transport and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) over control of Road Transport Department.

Meja, a former banker has been reporting to Ministry of Transport headquarters instead of Times Towers where the holder of the office sits.

The move came after KRA board threw its weight behind

Sources revealed that Ministry of Transport wants to wrestle back the Road Transport Department from KRA.

RTD is currently based at KRA headquarters and is under the Registrar of Motor Vehicles department.

Insiders say the ministry of transport wants to revert it back but KRA management has refused and insisted it has to be at Times Towers because of its mandates.

Kirgotty has also been reporting to work since Monday defying his sacking by Transport minister Amos Kimunya through a gazette notice last week.

KRA spokesman Ken Onyonyi confirmed that Kirgortty was still in office

Onyonyi added the position works in duality serving the ministries of Transport and Finance.

RTD was initially under the Ministry of Transport and Communication before being absorbed by KRA on July 1, 1995 through an act of Parliament and is headed by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles.

The department is charged with the responsibility of undertaking registration and licensing of drivers and all motor vehicles and trailers under the Traffic Act Chapter 403, Second Hand Motor Vehicle Purchase Act Chapter 484 and Transport Licensing Board Act Chapter 404.

Other sources said the developments are about succession wars at KRA.