Cabinet Greenlights Transport Accident Investigation Bureau
The Cabinet of President Ruto has approved the establishment of the Kenya Transport Accident Investigation Bureau (KTAIB) to reform transport accident investigation procedures.
The bureau will spearhead investigations into road, rail, pipeline, and marine transport catastrophes, taking the lead from regulators and investigators such as the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and the National Police Service.
“It will be an independent agency tasked with comprehensive transport-related accident investigations and the making of safety recommendations,” read the statement by Cabinet.
Cabinet further noted that when transport regulators manage investigations into transport safety, a conflict of interest arises that may impede independent reporting and undermine the investigations’ credibility.
The Ministry of Transport, currently led by CS Kipchumba Murkomen, will lead industry stakeholders in drafting the Kenya Transport Accident Investigation Bureau Bill, 2023, to establish the bureau.
This will establish the foundation for the legal framework required to implement the policy intervention.
“Once established, the Bureau will utilize international best practices and will pursue safety interventions in … transport,” read the statement partly.
ALSO READ:
- Recent Key Palestinian-Israeli Conflicts
- Ruto Risks Losing Ksh4.2 Trillion if Anti-LGBTQ Bill Passes
- Why DP Gachagua’s Wife Cried Before Ruto- Kimani Ngunjiri
The bureau will promptly work to improve the maritime industry, where the vast majority of accidents involving small vessels go unreported. In contrast, the Kenya Railways Corporation, which is responsible for rail transport safety, will transfer its responsibilities to the bureau.
However, the directive by Cabinet noted that the bureau’s mandate will not extend to aircraft-related accidents, whose investigation is managed under the Civil Aviation Act, 2013, to comply with international best practices and Kenya’s international obligations.
Aircraft accident investigations are the responsibility of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Department.
According to NTSA statistics, 2,124 individuals were killed in road accidents during the first half of this year.
According to an economic survey conducted in 2023, 4,690 individuals perished in motor vehicle accidents in 2022.
To reduce fatal road accidents, the NTSA began retesting all Public Service Vehicle (PSV) and commercial vehicle drivers in June of this year. However, Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen postponed the retesting of PSVs until the beginning of 2024 so that his ministry could consult with stakeholders on the next steps.
However, retesting is required every three years before a driver’s license can be renewed.
Cabinet Greenlights Transport Accident Investigation Bureau
