NTSA Quietly Confirms New Boss to Replace George Njao

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) board has formally announced the appointment of Nashon Kondiwa as the new Director General. The decision, which takes effect from February 17, 2026, marks the conclusion of a transition period following the departure of George Njao. The appointment was confirmed in a statement issued on Wednesday by NTSA Board Chairman, Khatib Mwashetani, following consultations with the Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport.

Kondiwa, who previously served as the authority’s Deputy Director for Information Communication Technology, takes over the leadership of the regulator for a renewable three-year contract. His elevation comes at a time when the agency is under pressure to modernize its service delivery and address rising concerns over road safety across the national road network. The board indicated that the selection was based on his extensive background in digital transformation and institutional operations.

With a career spanning over 22 years, Kondiwa has built a professional portfolio focused on innovation and public sector leadership. His experience includes significant roles in telecommunications and project management, having worked with organizations such as Telkom Kenya and the United Nations Office at Nairobi before joining the NTSA. He holds advanced degrees in telecommunications and electronics from the Tshwane University of Technology and ESIEE Paris, respectively.

During his previous tenure at the ICT department, Kondiwa was instrumental in steering the authority's digital agenda, including the migration of services to online platforms. The board noted that his expertise in Intelligent Transport Systems and urban mobility would be central to the authority's upcoming strategic objectives. Mwashetani stated that the board is confident in his ability to deliver measurable improvements in road transport management and operational excellence.

The outgoing Director General, George Njao, leaves the position after serving two full terms. Njao was first appointed in November 2019, succeeding Francis Meja, and received a second three-year term in 2022. His tenure was characterized by efforts to digitize the licensing process, although it was also marked by periods of scrutiny from transport stakeholders and the board. In late 2025, the authority began the formal search for his replacement as his contract neared its final date.

The change in leadership at the NTSA coincides with broader shifts in Kenya’s transport and infrastructure parastatals. On the same day, the Kenya Rural Roads Authority, KeRRA, and the Kenya Roads Board also announced new executive appointments. These leadership changes are viewed as a coordinated effort by the Ministry of Roads and Transport to stabilize the management of the country’s transport safety and infrastructure agencies.

Kondiwa now faces the immediate task of overseeing the implementation of national road safety strategies and strengthening the enforcement of traffic regulations. The authority remains responsible for the registration and licensing of motor vehicles, driver testing, and the inspection of vehicles to ensure roadworthiness. As the chief executive officer and secretary to the board, his role will involve managing these diverse mandates while coordinating with other road sector players to reduce fatalities.

The NTSA was established under the National Transport and Safety Authority Act of 2012 to harmonize road transport management. The transition to a new director general is expected to bring a renewed focus on technology-driven enforcement, particularly as the government seeks to integrate more automated systems into the monitoring of the country’s highways and urban corridors.