Kipchumba Murkomen Explains Increase Of NTSA Charges: "People Who Buy Cars Have Money"

• The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) proposed to hike the fees for its services by up to 3,900%
• Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen argued that the government agency should generate its own revenue to finance itself instead of depending on National Treasury
• Motor vehicle dealers will be hit with an increase in licence fees from KSh 4,200 to KSh 100,000, a rise of 2,281%

TUKO.co.ke journalist Japhet Ruto brings over eight years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting, offering deep insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.

Transport Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen has explained why the government proposed to increase National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) charges for various services.

Kipchumba Murkomen explains hike in NTSA fees

Murkomen argued that the government agency should generate revenue to finance itself instead of depending on the National Treasury.

Speaking to Citizen TV, the CS claimed that Kenyans who buy cars have enough money, hence the need to increase charges, including the fee levied on a person who wants to change a car's colour. The proposed fee is KSh 20,000 from the current KSh 500.

"If somebody has the luxury of changing the colour of a car, then that person has the resources. If someone can pay KSh 100,000 to repaint a car, then why can't they support KSh 20,000 for the same? Murkomen posed.

Murkomen argued that the increase in charges would ensure NTSA manages and regulates the transport sector effectively.

"The cost of the metal used to make number plates has gone higher, so you cannot continue charging KSh 1,000 that was charged 10 years ago. And you know, a number plate, you get it once. If I bought a car for KSh 1 million and I am told to pay KSh 10,000, I don't think that's too much for it. We don't want NTSA to go back to the Treasury again. Let the people who are capable of paying and who have vehicles pay instead of taxing mama mboga," he reiterated.

Which charges did NTSA increase?

Motor vehicle dealers will be hit with an increase in licence fees from KSh 4,200 to KSh 100,000, a rise of 2,281%.

At the same time, if new rates are approved, dealers in new motor vehicles will pay KSh 50,000 to renew permits, up from KSh 4,200.

Driving schools will experience a 150% annual licence fee hike, rising to KSh 50,000 from the previous KSh 20,000.

NTSA proposed to double the cost of replacing a lost or damaged log book from KSh 2,500 to KSh 10,000, while replacing a damaged or lost driving licence would cost KSh 1,000 from KSh 500.

If a motorist wishes to convert their foreign licences, they would part with KSh 10,000 from KSh 1,000.