The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has emphatically dismissed recent media reports. Questioning its ownership and control over the crucial Transport Integrated Management System (TIMS). In a detailed statement released on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, the Authority sought to reassure the public. And stakeholders that the digital platform, which is central to all its service, is fully under its command. The NTSA's clarification c omes amidst heightened scrutiny of government digital platforms.
Particularly following an audit report by Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu for the year ending June 2024. The audit had reportedly raised concerns about NTSA staff having restricted access to the Ksh186 million system. And a lack of a formal contract for its adoption after it migrates to the eCitizen portal. NTSA sets the record straight on TIMS system ownership, confirming it is solely developed, managed, and operated by the Authority amid misinformation circulating online. Reaffirming Full Ownership and Control In its rejoinder, the NTSA asserted that TIMS is not only the single reference point for all its services. Including vehicle registration, transfer of ownership, and driver licensing, but is also "fully owned and controlled by NTSA. Additionally, with complete intellectual property (IP) rights vested in the Authority." The Authority acknowledged the reports citing the Auditor-General's concerns but moved to dispel any notions of vulnerability or external control. The statement highlighted significant investments made by NTSA in its IT infrastructure, including: Robust Cybersecurity Measures: To protect public data and prevent unauthorized breaches. Reliable Servers and Enhanced Storage: Ensuring system stability and data integrity. Secure Network Environment: Safeguarding connectivity and operations. Zero Trust Network Architecture: A modern security model implemented to ensure "high security and identity-based access," thereby limiting risks. "The Authority affirms its commitment to proactively maintaining, improving, and securing its systems. While fostering trust among stakeholders and providing high-quality services to the public," the NTSA statement read. Clarifying eCitizen Integration and Data Management A key point of contention raised in the audit was the perceived lack of control after TIMS's integration with the eCitizen platform in March 2023. The Auditor-General's report had suggested that the absence of a formal contract for this adoption weakened NTSA's grip on its own operations. NTSA clarified that while its systems are indeed "seamlessly connected to the eCitizen platform for Single Sign On (SSO), payment gateways. pic.twitter.com/I8ETVjeutq — NTSA KENYA (@ntsa_kenya) July 23, 2025 In addition to revenue reporting," the core "data, workflows, and processes run entirely on NTSA infrastructure." This means that while eCitizen handles the front-end user login and payment facilitation.
Also, the critical backend operations and data management remain within NTSA's own servers and control. Operational Efficiency and Future Commitments To further enhance its operational efficiency and responsiveness, NTSA stated that it leverages advanced analytics tools. Including a "big data analytics platform to integrate all sources of data to provide deep analytics. In addition to the insights on the Authority operations to enhance efficiency and support informed decision making." The Authority also emphasized its commitment to continuous improvement, revealing that its ICT staff undergo regular training to stay abreast of emerging technologies. This ensures the team is well-equipped to address NTSA's evolving digital needs and maintain the integrity of its systems.
The NTSA's firm stance aims to quell public anxiety and reassure millions of Kenyans who rely on TIMS for essential transport services. The Authority insists that the platform remains secure, locally managed, and continuously updated to match Kenya's fast-changing digital landscape, ensuring uninterrupted service delivery ALSO READ: Lister Onsongo Suspended: CS Duale Cancels Nursing Internship Placements Amid Scandal