Auditor General Reveals NTSA’s Porous System And Massive Uncollected Documents Backlog
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) is in a serious crisis, according to a recent audit that exposed deep-rooted inefficiencies and outdated systems.
The audit, led by Auditor General Nancy Gathungu, revealed a staggering backlog of critical documents and faulty equipment, painting a bleak picture of the authority that reports to the Ministry of Transport.
The audit report, released on Sunday, June 30, highlights the dire state of the NTSA’s regional offices.
Stocks of 20,006 number plates, 17,474 motor vehicle logbooks, and 5,753 smart driving licenses remain uncollected, gathering dust and serving no purpose.
Surprisingly, some of these documents have been languishing in storage for over five years, with expired drivers’ licenses among the pile.
Auditor General Nancy Gathungu's audit reveals Sh1.2 bilion missing in Kenya's smart driving licence project.
— Moe (@moneyacademyKE) July 2, 2024
Out of Sh2.03 billion of (4,042,050) smart cards were delivered, but (2,562,874) worth Sh788 million are unused due to mismanagement at NTSA
The audit reveals discrepancies between system records and physical stocks, implying major administrative oversights.
While the system restricts collection to authorized personnel, regional offices allowed unauthorized individuals to retrieve items, causing additional chaos.
The report also highlights the critical shortage of biometric kits required for the enrollment of smart driving licenses.
Despite the fact that the program was launched nearly six years ago to replace the old red book drivers’ licenses, the NTSA currently has only twenty biometric kits, four of which are faulty.
Because of the scarcity, many Huduma centers are forced to serve solely as collection points, resulting in long lines and dissatisfied residents.
The majority of NTSA’s regional offices are located in dilapidated buildings inherited from the traffic police and Mechanical Transport Department.
These facilities are in disrepair, lack critical security features, and have insufficient sitting space.
Offices in Voi, Embu, and Kericho are particularly affected, with the Voi office having only one operational fan despite the extreme heat.
Furthermore, despite their spaciousness, the Machakos and Embu offices have uneven grounds that are prone to flooding during the rainy season.
The lack of waiting sheds and bays exacerbates crowding during driver testing and mass inspections, causing confusion and discomfort for the public.
Inspection equipment and facilities in Nakuru, Kericho, Kisumu, Kakamega, Eldoret, Mombasa, Voi, Machakos, Nyeri, and Embu are either out of date or defective, rendering them ineffective.
Officers must conduct manual vehicle inspections, which compromises the accuracy and reliability of reports as they juggle between physical checks and online data entry.
Auditor General Reveals NTSA’s Porous System And Massive Uncollected Documents Backlog
