National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) Director General George Njao is set to exit office next week as his second and final term officially comes to an end on November 12, 2025. The NTSA board has already begun the process of recruiting his successor to ensure a smooth leadership transition.
Njao was first appointed to the role on November 12, 2019, replacing Francis Meja after a competitive recruitment exercise. In November 2022, then Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen renewed his contract for a final three-year term upon the recommendation of the NTSA board.
An advertisement published in MyGov this week called on qualified professionals to apply for the position by November 28. Applicants must hold a master’s degree in Engineering, Business Management, Sciences, Technology, Commerce, Social Sciences, Education, Law, or related fields from a recognized university. In addition, candidates must have at least 15 years of experience, with five in senior management, and must comply with Chapter Six of the Constitution on leadership and integrity.
The NTSA board, chaired by Khatib Mwashetani, is expected to convene soon to forward a list of potential candidates to Transport CS Davis Chirchir, who will appoint an acting Director General after Njao’s departure.
Njao’s tenure has not been without controversy. In 2023, the NTSA board sent him on 30 days’ compulsory leave following a surge in road accidents, but CS Murkomen intervened and reinstated him. Later, in July 2024, the Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC) dismissed a case challenging his appointment, ruling that it was procedurally valid.
As Njao’s chapter at NTSA closes, attention now shifts to who will take the helm of the authority tasked with overseeing road safety and transport regulation in Kenya.
