Economy

Ban on three speed governor firms lifted after compliance

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has lifted a ban on speed governors and recorders of three firms.

It said they were now fit for the market after the firms made the necessary adjustments to conform to laid standards.

The Omata speed governors made by Dalcom Enterprises, Saferider SRG 1 distributed by Safe Rider and the Autograde and Fleet 1 brands of Pinnacle Systems had been under the ban for a month.

“We have done an audit on the kits together with the Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) and established they are now okay for the market,” the agency’s director-general Francis Meja said on Thursday.

The official said the three firms had recalled their kits for upgrade after it was established that their configuration of speed timing was faulty.

Since March last year, it has been mandatory for public service vehicles to be fitted with speed governors that allow a maximum speed of 80km per hour. It’s part of efforts to reduce road carnage by speeding vehicles.

The lifting of the ban for the three firms comes after NTSA and Kebs last month revoked the approval of four other speed governor firms and suspended 11 others citing non-compliance with quality standards.

The decision drew protest from dealers and Frotcom East Africa Ltd filed a case against the agencies. It is seeking orders to reinstate its supply and fitting permit.

READ: Speed governors firm sues NTSA in licence row

“We will be responding to the petition next month. But our position remains; they have to meet quality assurance standards,” said Mr Meja adding that the rest of the firms yet to be cleared had indicated commitment to rectify their systems.

A notice dated January 30 from the agencies had warned the public against installing speed governors from the affected firms saying the revocation was based on evidence of non-compliance with Kebs requirements. It said the performance of the suspended brands was below 50 per cent.

But the firms, through Speed Governors and Road Safety Association, alleged NTSA officials were working in cahoots with foreign dealers to hew their market share.

About 50,000 public vehicles have been fitted with the speed governors, according to the Road Safety Association of Kenya.

Speed governors for commercial vehicles are priced between Sh20,000 and Sh35,000 a kit.