The National Transport Safety Authority (NTSA) could soon take charge of all transport related accidents in the country if a proposed bill sails through the National Assembly.

A bill sponsored by Limuru MP John Kiragu wants to consolidate all transport-related accidents in the road, rail, pipeline, and air.

Above all, the authority headed by George Njau, the Director-General would take over agencies charged with the responsibility to investigate accidents and incidents in the road, rail, pipeline, and air sectors.

Appearing before the National Assembly Transport Committee chaired by Ndia MP George Kariuki, Kiragu said A bill sponsored by Limuru MP John Kiragu, currently under review by the National Assembly Transport Committee chaired by Ndia MP George Kariuki, seeks to consolidate all transport agencies under NTSA’s jurisdiction.

The National Transport and Safety Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2024, proposes amending Section 4 of the NTSA Act by replacing the phrase “road transport and safety” with “transportation safety” to encompass all modes of transport, including air, rail, road, and marine. The bill further proposes the establishment of an independent investigation unit within NTSA to enhance transportation safety and conduct thorough investigations into transport-related accidents.

“Despite the presence of various agencies in the transport sector, accidents continue to rise, and there has never been a serious, coordinated investigation into why we are losing so many lives,” Kiragu told the committee.

Currently, road accidents are investigated by NTSA and the Kenya Police, railway accidents by the Kenya Railways Corporation, maritime accidents by the Kenya Maritime Authority, and aircraft accidents by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Department under the State Department of Transport.