The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) could lose its accident investigation function if a new Bill before Parliament is approved, allowing the establishment of an independent agency to probe crashes.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

The Kenya Transportation Safety Board Bill, 2026 seeks to establish the Kenya Transportation Safety Board, a body that will investigate accidents involving road, rail, air and maritime transport.

The proposal was considered on Thursday, August 6, by the National Assembly's Budget and Appropriations Committee during scrutiny of its financial implications.

The committee, chaired by Vice Chairperson Robert Pukose, reviewed the cost of establishing the new agency before the Bill proceeds through the legislative process.

📌 What You Need to Know

If enacted, the Board will take over accident investigations currently handled by NTSA, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, the Kenya Maritime Authority and other transport regulators.

However, it is worth noting that the aforementioned institutions will retain their enforcement and regulatory mandates outlined by the law.

Presenting the Bill, Limuru MP John Kiragu said Kenya needs an independent body to investigate transport accidents, arguing recurring road tragedies persist despite the existence of NTSA.

"We have a history of road tragedies, yet there appears to be no independent investigation body that examines accidents comprehensively and identifies solutions," he told the committee.

The legislator said the Board will investigate all factors contributing to accidents, including road design, vehicle condition, operational systems and human behaviour, before making recommendations.

"We need to look at transport safety holistically. Is it our road design, the condition of our vehicles, or the conduct of road users? We need an institution that establishes the facts and makes recommendations," Kiragu said.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke