Protesters Storm NTSA Offices as Pressure Builds on Director General George Njao to Step Down
Tension rose on Tuesday outside the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) headquarters in Nairobi as angry protesters took to the streets demanding the immediate resignation of Director General George Njao.
The demonstrations were led by several road safety lobby groups who accused Njao of defying the NTSA board’s directive to proceed on terminal leave ahead of his retirement.
According to the protesters, the DG’s refusal to vacate office has created unnecessary tension within the agency.
The uproar comes barely a day after the NTSA advertised the position of Director General in the MyGov publication on Tuesday, November 4 — a move interpreted by many as a clear indication that Njao’s term was coming to an end.
During the demonstrations, the Secretary General of the Speed Governors and Road Safety Association, John Mutisya, called on the government to move swiftly and resolve the leadership dispute before the upcoming festive season, which is usually marked by an increase in road accidents.
“We are calling on the NTSA management to take quick action now that we are heading into the December holidays when roads become busier and accident cases rise.
The DG should respect the board’s decision and proceed on terminal leave as instructed. Please, Mr. Njao, obey your employer and allow a smooth transition,” Mutisya urged.
Mutisya went on to accuse Njao of intimidating board members and allegedly using the names of top government officials, including President William Ruto, the Transport Cabinet Secretary, and the Principal Secretary, to exert pressure and cling to power unlawfully.
Echoing his remarks, David Kiarie, the chairperson of the Road Safety Association of Kenya, said Njao was supposed to begin his terminal leave on Saturday, November 1, but had failed to comply.
“The Director General was supposed to start his leave last Saturday, but we have learned that he is still in office. That is why we are here today—to demand that he leaves immediately,” Kiarie stated firmly.
This protest follows an earlier one held on October 23, where the same lobby groups had camped outside NTSA headquarters, giving the board a one-week ultimatum to advertise for the position and appoint an acting DG.
The groups accused the board of turning a blind eye to what they described as an “illegal extension” of Njao’s term, which reportedly ended in October 2022.
Reports indicate that Njao’s contract was controversially extended for another three years despite strong opposition from within and outside the authority, leading to a series of court battles.
However, in all the cases filed against him since 2022, the courts ruled in his favor, allowing him to remain in office.
The embattled DG has also been accused of presiding over widespread corruption at NTSA, allegedly enabling the issuance of driving licences to unqualified drivers and inspection certificates to unroadworthy vehicles.
According to lobbyists, these practices have contributed to the rising number of road accidents and fatalities across the country.
As the protests intensify, pressure continues to mount on both the NTSA board and the Ministry of Transport to take decisive action and restore order at the agency.
Protesters say the leadership crisis at NTSA is undermining efforts to ensure road safety and public trust in the institution.
The groups have vowed to continue demonstrating until the board enforces its decision and ensures that George Njao officially exits office, paving the way for a new Director General to take over.
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