Njao sacked as NTSA DG, Sisey appointed in an acting capacity

Embattled National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) Director General (DG) George Njao has been sacked by the board marking end of a tenure marred by controversies, law suits and skyrocketing road carnages on major Kenyan roads.

Njao was sacked through a board resolution and Director Corporate Services Jacob Sisey appointed in an acting capacity.

Stakeholders in road safety matters have welcomed the exit of Njao while being optimistic that it heralds the changes required to tame road carnage.

After months of pressure by safety activists who have been calling for his removal, Njao was forced out of office just a month before the expiry of the outgoing Njao’s six-year tenure in office.

The official who has been at the helm of the Authority since 2019 has been accused of failing to act to check road carnage that has claimed over 30,000 lives since he took over the docket from Francis Meja.

Addressing journalists in Juja, Kiambu County, Road Safety Association of Kenya Chairman David Kiarie and Speed Governors and Road Safety Association Secretary General John Mutisya hailed President William Ruto and the Road Transport Ministry for finally acting on the pleas by players and Kenyans in general to effect changes at the organization.

Kiarie said apart from the 30,000 lives lost in the six years of Njao as Chief Executive at NTSA, about 100,000 people were maimed in the road crashes which said could otherwise have been avoided.

He expressed hope that the new leadership at the Authority should bring on board all the players in the sector to address safety concerns as the country the country approaches the Christmas festivities when most fatal accidents occur.

“We cannot afford to lose more Kenyans on our roads and we thank the president and the Transport Cabinet Secretary for heeding our cries and making changes at the NTSA ahead of the festive season when road deaths usually surge,” Kiarie observed.

Mutisya said getting the leadership changes at the road safety body has not been easy, noting that at one time Njao was sent on a 30-day compulsory leave by the management board to pave way for investigations into his activities, only for him to bounce to office after barely 10 days.

“Our roads have been painted red with people’s blood for too long. We demand to have consultative meetings with the relevant offices and come up with ways to minimize the road carnage,” Mutisya pleaded.

The officials also called on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to probe claims that Sh40million was spent by NTSA on bribery involving a matter that was in court.

Their sentiments were echoed by other stakeholders in the sector led by Mohamed Thairu and Severino Githinji who said the move was timely as it comes ahead of the festive season.

The changes come slightly more than a week after demonstrators paralyzed operations at the NTSA headquarters on October 22, 2025, while protesting the runaway road carnage.

Led by road safety officials, the protesters held demonstrations outside the NTSA and Ministry of Roads and Transport headquarters in Nairobi’s Milimani area where they presented a petition.