Auditor General Questions NTSA TIMS Control
The Auditor General has raised concerns about NTSA TIMS control, stating that the authority does not fully own or manage the Transport Integrated Management System (TIMS). Nancy Gathungu’s 2024 audit report revealed that NTSA lacks a formal contract with eCitizen, the platform currently hosting TIMS.
“The authority has no control, as there was no contract for adoption of the system,” Gathungu said, as reported by Kenyans.co.ke.
TIMS is crucial for services such as vehicle registration and ownership transfer. However, it was moved to the eCitizen platform in March 2023. The audit found that NTSA staff cannot generate detailed reports or access complete data on applications and revenue.
According to the report, limited user access has made it difficult for NTSA to track revenue or protect sensitive data effectively.
NTSA Defends Its TIMS Control, Citing Full IP Ownership
In a quick response, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) dismissed the Auditor General’s claims. In a statement published by The Star, NTSA asserted that it owns and controls the TIMS platform entirely.
“The system is fully owned and controlled by NTSA, with complete IP rights vested in the Authority,” the agency stated.
NTSA clarified that all system data, services, and workflows run on its infrastructure—not external platforms. The authority acknowledged that it uses eCitizen for Single Sign-On but emphasized that this does not affect its internal control.
The statement also highlighted NTSA’s investments in IT, including Zero Trust Network Architecture, robust cybersecurity, and advanced analytics tools. These tools, NTSA explained, support secure data handling and informed decision-making.
Public Trust at Risk in NTSA TIMS Control Dispute
The conflicting reports have raised public concern. Citizens now question the integrity of services that rely on TIMS. NTSA insists it controls the system. Yet, the Auditor General’s report suggests otherwise, pointing to serious access limitations.
Gathungu’s audit further noted that NTSA failed to improve system control by June 2024, despite earlier warnings. That raises doubts about how the authority monitors performance and ensures data protection.
This dispute comes at a time when Kenya is rapidly digitizing public services. In this environment, clear ownership and accountability over digital infrastructure are essential for public confidence and national security.
Read Also:NTSA System Maintenance to Disrupt Services for 18 Hours
