The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) wants the National Assembly Transport Committee to back the retention of Sh3 billion in own-source revenue from the 2026/27 financial year to expand road safety enforcement and establish operations in all 47 counties.
NTSA Director General Nashon Odhiambo Kondiwa presented the proposal when the committee visited the authority's headquarters and the Motor Inspection Centre along Likoni Road in Nairobi.
Kondiwa said the proposed revenue retention would provide funding for a major overhaul of NTSA's enforcement operations, which currently cover only 17 counties.
“Current coverage is that 17 counties only less than 50 percent of the 47 counties,” Kondiwa told the legislators.
He said the limited geographical reach had affected NTSA's ability to fully execute its mandate of regulating road transport and enforcing safety standards across the country.
The authority was established under the National Transport and Safety Authority Act No. 33 of 2012, with responsibilities covering road transport regulation, safety enforcement and implementation of related policies.
Kondiwa said the proposed Sh3 billion would be ring-fenced for enforcement transformation and expansion, in line with the Road Safety Action Plan 2024–2028 and the Enforcement Strategy 2026.
The request comes amid growing concern over the economic and human cost of road crashes in Kenya. Kondiwa told the committee that the country was facing a serious road safety challenge, with the cost of crashes projected to rise from Sh1.356 trillion in 2024 to Sh1.5 trillion by 2030.
“Kenya is in a Road Safety Crisis,” he said in the presentation.
According to the business case submitted to the committee, road crashes currently cost the economy about 8.2 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The authority also raised concern over fatalities among vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. Its presentation showed that the fatality rate increased by 52 per cent between 2017 and 2024.
Kondiwa attributed the worsening situation to weaknesses in enforcement and road safety management, including poor enforcement of speed, helmet and seatbelt regulations, fragmented safety projects, weak emergency response systems and inadequate long-term financing.
“The Crisis is Driven by Systemic Weaknesses,” he said.
Under the proposed plan, NTSA would establish offices in all 47 counties, strengthen its Compliance Enforcement Unit through mobile patrols and automated systems, and increase joint enforcement operations with the National Police Service.
The authority also plans to improve crash data systems and support implementation of the Road Accident Prevention programme.
NTSA wants to replace static roadblocks with mobile patrols while increasing the use of automated enforcement systems to reduce human discretion and improve compliance with road safety regulations.
Kondiwa said the proposed changes were expected to deliver measurable improvements, including a 14 to 19 per cent reduction in fatalities within five years. The authority also projects that compliance with speed, helmet and seatbelt regulations could rise above 90 per cent.
The proposed investment is estimated at Sh3.012 billion and will cover capital expenditure, recurrent costs and human resources.
Kondiwa said the investment would be justified by the economic losses caused by road crashes and the potential savings from reducing deaths and injuries.
“The investment aligns with Vision 2030 and BETA Agenda,” he said.
He further argued that stronger enforcement could address a major cause of road crashes, noting the role of human behaviour in road safety.
“90 percent crash causes are linked to human behaviour and Enforcement will address,” Kondiwa said.
NTSA is seeking approval to retain Sh3 billion in own-source revenue from the 2026/27 financial year, expand its operations from 17 to all 47 counties within 18 months and fully operationalise its enforcement strategy by 2027.
“Approve NTSA retention of Sh 3.0B own revenue from FY 2026/27,” Kondiwa stated.
He also proposed to “Expand coverage from 17 to 47 counties within 18 months” and “Fully operationalize enforcement strategy by 2027.”
The presentation was made as members of the Transport Committee inspected NTSA's operations at its headquarters and Motor Inspection Centre in Nairobi.
Kondiwa said the proposed transformation was aimed at delivering “Safer Roads, Stronger Economy, Equitable Service Delivery.”
At the same time, the NTSA Director-General urged Members of Parliament to use part of the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) to support road safety campaigns and help reduce road fatalities, particularly those involving boda boda riders.
The call comes amid continued boda boda-related accidents that have claimed lives despite government efforts to improve road safety.
Speaking after assessing the digitisation of services the Committee chairperson and the Ndia MP, “It is time for Members of Parliament to consider using part of their NG-CDF funds to partner with NTSA and provide helmets for riders and pillion passengers.”
Nakuru Town West MP Samuel Arama, a member of the committee, regreted that many Kenyans are forced to travel long distances to access NTSA services despite paying taxes like other citizens.
“Some Kenyans travel hundreds of kilometres in search of services, yet they are paying taxes like any other Kenyan,” Arama lamented.
Speaking during the meeting, NTSA Director General Eng. Nashon Kondiwa acknowledged that Kenya is facing a road safety crisis.