Over 572,000 smart driving licences worth Sh176 million remain unprinted, putting NTSA under scrutiny. Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu warns the cards could expire unused, wasting public funds.
Over 4 million cards were delivered by the National Bank of Kenya (NBK). By June 2024, NTSA had printed only 1.63 million. The agency signed a Sh2 billion contract in 2017 to print 5 million cards within three years. Seven years later, it has printed less than half.
Over time, the smart cards’ chips degrade, whether printed or not. Each card costs Sh3,050 and expires after three years. Experts say the cards are becoming obsolete. Some have already been returned unused.
Over 60% of Kenya’s five million drivers may still lack valid smart licences. The audit shows NTSA’s performance stands at just 33%. The unprinted cards could soon expire.
Overlooking this issue risks public money. The report points to poor execution of the project. It calls for urgent action to avoid further losses.
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