NAIROBI, Kenya Aug 6 – A proposal to establish an independent body to investigate transport accidents across Kenya received support from lawmakers on the Budget and Appropriations Committee, with Members arguing that the country must move beyond reacting to tragedies and instead identify their root causes to prevent future loss of life.
The Committee, chaired by Vice Chairperson Robert Pukose (Endebess MP), considered the proposed Kenya Transportation Safety Board Bill, 2026, sponsored by John Kiragu Chege, during its review of the legislative proposal.
The Bill seeks to establish the Kenya Transportation Safety Board, an independent agency mandated to investigate accidents and incidents across road, rail, aviation and maritime transport, replacing the fragmented investigation powers currently exercised by multiple agencies.
Presenting the proposal, Kiragu said Kenya has witnessed recurring transport disasters over the years without a comprehensive system to establish their causes and recommend lasting reforms.
“We have a history of road tragedies, yet there appears to be no independent investigation body that examines accidents and identifies lasting solutions. Even with the establishment of NTSA, the number of accidents continues to rise.”
“We must look at this issue wholistically, is it the design of our roads, the safety of our vehicles, or the behaviour of road users? We need an institution that finds answers,” he told the Committee.
The proposed Board would investigate transport accidents and make safety recommendations, while leaving prosecution and enforcement to the relevant government agencies.
Committee Members welcomed the proposal but questioned how the new institution would distinguish itself from existing regulators.
Kisumu County Woman Representative Ruth Odinga described the Bill as timely, saying Kenya’s transport safety record demands urgent intervention.
“This is a good Bill and I hope it is adopted by the House. The situation in the transport sector is dire. We have far too many accidents. The critical question is how this proposed body will help reduce accident rates and improve transport safety across the country,” she said.
Laikipia Woman Representative Jane Kagiri echoed concerns over the lack of conclusive findings from previous investigations into major transport disasters.
“We have had other institutions before, but they have not delivered. There have been numerous major accidents in this country, yet to this day we do not know the conclusions of many investigations. That is a serious gap that must be addressed,” she observed.
However, Eldas MP Adan Keynan urged caution against creating another institution with overlapping responsibilities, noting that Kenya already has several transport agencies.
“The idea is good, but we already have NTSA, the Kenya Airports Authority, the Kenya Maritime Authority and the State Department for Transport. We also have the necessary laws. What we need is proper implementation and coordination. Before creating another agency, there should be broad stakeholder engagement to interrogate all transport laws and eliminate duplication of mandates,” he said.
In response, Kiragu clarified that the proposed Board would not regulate the transport sector or prosecute offenders but would function as an independent accident investigation authority.
“This body is intended to make professional recommendations after investigations. The agencies responsible for enforcement and prosecution will then act on those recommendations,” he explained.
According to the proposal, the Board would consist of seven members, a Director-General and a Corporation Secretary. It would investigate accidents across all modes of transport and consolidate functions currently spread across the National Transport and Safety Authority, Kenya Maritime Authority, and aviation accident investigation bodies.
The Bill also proposes repealing provisions in existing transport laws that empower individual agencies to conduct accident investigations, replacing them with a unified national investigation framework aimed at eliminating duplication and strengthening transport safety oversight.
The Budget and Appropriations Committee is expected to consider the financial implications and policy recommendations before determining whether the legislative proposal should proceed to the next stage of the parliamentary process.
