Kenya says digital transport system will be ready by year end

Kenya has said the implementation of a World Bank-financed digital transport integrated management system will be completed by the end of this year.

Ibrahim Juma, an official from the National Transport Safety Authority (NTSA), told Xinhua on Saturday that the eight million U.S. dollar project aimed at enhancing road safety was almost complete.

"We are fast tracking implementation of the online project so that it can be operational by the end of the year," Juma said.

The project, launched in 2015, will enable citizens to register, transfer motor vehicles and apply for driving licenses on online. Vehicle inspection will also be automated.

"The manual system which used stickers was prone to manipulation and this compromised the safety by allowing defective vehicles on the road," Juma said.

The NTSA will also be equipped with mobile devices to enable their staff to track, monitor and enforce road violations.

NTSA figures show 3,057 people died from roads accidents in Kenya in 2015, up from 2,907 the previous year.

The digital transport system will be connected to the e-citizen platform that has automated all payments for government services.

"Drivers will therefore be able to apply and pay for driving licenses and vehicle fees online," Juma said.

Juma said that during the piloting stage, the system has registered 5,000 motorcycles.

He said the system was convenient and will help reduce corruption in the road transport sector.

He added that adequate measures had been put in place to ensure the system is secure and not subject to manipulation. Endit