Unsigned logbooks as infighting at the Registrar of Vehicles' office rages

By CYRUS OMBATI

The tussle at the taxman offices on who should occupy the seat of Registrar of Motor Vehicles is affecting operations there.

This has emerged after registration of new motor vehicles was briefly stopped following disagreement on who between long-serving registrar Simeon ole Kirgotty and the newly appointed one Francis ole Meja should sign logbooks.

It is Kirgotty who has been signing the logbooks until two weeks ago when transport minister Amos Kimunya revoked his appointment and gazetted Meja as his successor.

But Kirgotty has refused to leave office forcing Meja to take up a different office at the ministry of transport headquarters.

"Kirgotty signed few logbooks last week but abruptly stopped the work," said an insider.

Kirgotty who holds the rank of commissioner refused to go after the Kenya Revenue Authority board told him to stay on until when his term expires next month. This has resulted in confusion and conflicting signals.

Insiders revealed there is a pile up of new logbooks lying unsigned as motorists wait for them without knowledge on the development.

Kirgotty was seconded to the KRA years back and has headed the renamed Road Transport Department (RTD) since then.

Apart from drawing up transport sector policy, the department processes vehicle logbooks and issues driving licences and number plates.

It has emerged that ministry of transport is now trying to wrestle back RTD, which operates from KRA.

RTD was initially under the Ministry of Transport and Communication before being absorbed by KRA on 1st July, 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.