The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has announced new changes to make motor vehicle inspection and reflective number plate applications faster and more efficient.
In a notice on Thursday, September 4, NTSA said the reflective plates application process has been fully automated through the eCitizen platform.
In addition, the entire process, which previously required extensive paperwork, has now been simplified to just three steps.
As such, applicants are now only required to upload a colored copy of the logbook and pictures of the number plates.
NTSA added that the status of the application can be tracked online, with SMS notifications sent at every stage of processing, and applications will be verified and processed within seven working days.
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On motor vehicle inspections, NTSA announced that both booking and payments are now done via the eCitizen platform.
The agency noted that the process which will cost applicants Ksh1,050 has been fully digitized, eliminating the need for physical inspection forms.
Additionally, inspectors have been equipped with digital devices to aid in the process, while the steps involved have been reduced from 25 to just 9.
The agency further noted that motorists will now spend less than 20 minutes within inspection centers.
In a bid to ensure transparency, pictures and attachments of inspected vehicles will be uploaded into the system by inspectors as part of the validation process.
NTSA noted that results of inspections will be automatically updated on the NTSA Mobile App, enabling law enforcement agencies to verify compliance in real time.
Further, new safety parameters have been incorporated into the process, including conformance with the Passenger Vehicle Body Construction standards (KS372:2019) and Maximum Road Speed Limiters for Motor Vehicles (KS2295:2018).
In cases where vehicles fail inspection, owners will have 13 days to correct defects and present their vehicles for re-inspection at no extra cost.
Meanwhile, NTSA has condemned a stunt captured in a viral video showing a passenger dangerously hanging onto a moving matatu along Magadi Road.
In a statement on Thursday, September 4, NTSA said the stunt was reckless and could have easily resulted in a fatal fall in the event of sudden braking, sharp turns, or acceleration.
“The stunt was reckless and extremely dangerous. Sudden braking, sharp turns, or acceleration can easily throw the passenger off balance, leading to a fatal fall,” read part of the statement.
The authority emphasized that passengers, including the conductor, must always use the seats and seatbelts for their safety.
Following the incident, NTSA said the driver of the Matatu was arrested and presented in court, and charged with various traffic offences.
The driver was granted a cash bail of Ksh100,000 with an alternative court bond of Ksh300,000.
"The driver was arrested, presented in court, and charged with various traffic offences. He was granted a cash bail of Ksh100,000 or a court bond of Ksh300,000. We sincerely thank the public for reporting the incident," NTSA stated.
