Govt suspends 11 brands of vehicle speed governors

The Universal Policing Unit, a gadget used by NTSA to check digital speed governors on public service vehicles. The government has revoked and suspended some commonly used vehicle speed limiters and recorders because they do not meet the required standards. PHOTO | COURTESY

What you need to know:

  • Among the brands whose approval have been revoked include Frontcom, Cartrack, GTR (which is distributed by Mbetsa Innovations Ltd) and Autograde, a product of Emco Diesel Services.
  • The suspended brands include Omata, Saferider, Ekas, Romatic system 80 Micro+, Jendie, Trident, Mock, Fleet 1, PGL Contro and Auto-Contro among others.
  • The companies supplying the speed limiters have also been required to maintain a register of all the vehicles fitted with the speed limiters indicating the date fitted.

The government has revoked and suspended some of the most commonly used brands of vehicle speed limiters and recorders because they don't meet the required standards.

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure and the Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) on Friday revoked the approval of four brands of speed limiters and suspended 11 others.

A newspaper notice signed by officials of the three agencies warned the public against undertaking new installations of the listed speed limiters.

The notice was signed by NTSA Director-General Francis Meja, the chief mechanical and transport engineer in the Ministry of Transport, Paul Mukiri, and Kebs Managing Director Charles Ongwae.

The brands whose approval has been revoked are Frontcom, Cartrack, GTR (which is distributed by Mbetsa Innovations Ltd) and Autograde, a product of Emco Diesel Services.

“The revocation follows evidence of non-compliance with the requirements of the Kenya Standards KS2295-1 of 2011” the notice read.

PERFORMANCE BELOW 50PC

The performance of the 11 suspended brands of limiters, according to the notice, was below 50 per cent and they are required to fulfil conditions stipulated by the three organs.

“Owners of vehicles fitted with the suspended limiters are required to contact the suppliers for remedial action besides presenting their vehicles for inspections and re-certification,” the notice stated in part.

The suspended brands include Omata, Saferider, Ekas, Romatic system 80 Micro+, Jendie, Trident, Mock, Fleet 1, PGL Contro and Auto-Contro, among others.

The suppliers are required to recall within 90 days all vehicles fitted with the speed limiters for repair and re-certification.

“They must also establish fitting centres and appoint agents to manage the recall process and disclose the fitting centres to NTSA and comply with the Motor Vehicle Garages for Repair and Services Code of Practice,” the notice indicated.

The suppliers are also required to maintain a register of all the vehicles fitted with the speed limiters, indicating the date fitted.