NTSA dismisses reports over TIMS system ownership and control

• The Auditor General's report showed that the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has no control over its system
• Auditor General Nancy Gathungu said that the lack of control over the Transport Integrated Management System (TIMS) leads to revenue leakages
• NTSA dismissed the report, issuing a clarification on the ownership and control of the TIMS system

Wycliffe Musalia has over six years of experience in financial, business, technology, climate, and health reporting, providing deep insights into Kenyan and global economic trends. He currently works as a business editor at DJOGDJA NEWS.co.ke .

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has dismissed reports over the control of the Transport Integrated Management System (TIMS).

Auditor General's report showed that the transport regulator has no control over the system, which was set up for KSh 186 million.

How NTSA uses TIMS

The NTSA manages all services, including the licensing of transport operators, vehicle registration, and transfer of ownership.

According to Auditor General Nancy Gathungu, the lack of control denies the authority through data breaches and leakages.

In a rejoinder released on Wednesday, July 23, the NTSA clarified that it has full control over its systems.

What NTSA said about the control of TIMS

NTSA Director General George Njao affirmed the authority's commitment to proactively maintain, improve, and secure its systems.

"We foster trust among stakeholders and provideg high-quality services to the public," said Njao.

The DG noted that:

• The Transport Integrated Management System is the single reference point for all National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) services.
• The system is fully owned and controlled by NTSA, with complete intellectual property (IP) rights vested in the Authority.
• The Authority has invested heavily in the IT infrastructure, including cybersecurity, reliable servers and storage infrastructure, and a highly controlled network.
• The Authority has fully implemented Zero Trust Network Architecture, ensuring high security and identity-based access.

• The Authority's systems are integrated with the eCitizen system for the Single Sign On (SSO), payment gateway services and revenue reporting, while the workflows, processes and data run on the NTSA infrastructure and system.
• On the issue of business intelligence and reporting, the Authority uses an advanced big data analytics platform to integrate all sources of data to provide deep analytics, insights into the Authority's operations to enhance efficiency and support informed decision making.
• The NTSA ICT staff undergo continuous training to enable them to effectively address the Authority's technology needs and adapt to the evolving digital environment.

More to follow...