The implementation of the cashless transport system in Kenya has been affected by irregularities and authorities have now stepped in to postpone full implementation.

The National Transport and Safety Authority had originally stipulated 9 February as the deadline for the enactment of cashless fare payment, but the process has been delayed because of compatibility issues of different card systems.

"There were little hitches here and there; they are technical in nature but that is expected of any new system," Francis Meja, the director general at NTSA told journalists.

A spot check by ITWeb Africa revealed queues of Kenyans trying to secure the cards from numerous vendors who had strategically placed themselves in bus terminals across Nairobi.

There are several vendors who are issuing cards including three Kenyan banks: Kenya Commercial Bank, Cooperative Bank and Equity Bank.

The cards can be topped up using mobile money. For KCB's "Pepea" card, users have the option to use it as a normal ATM card and can withdraw or even shop using it. Safaricom's 1963 card gives users the option to earn loyalty points.

"You can even save your money through the card, it's like an account," one of the vendors told ITWeb Africa.

The vendor said that the system was still being resisted by the 'bus touts' and that's why it is not being effectively implemented.

Despite the hitches and criticism the System has drawn, as well as the latest announcement of the postponement, the NTSA says it will go ahead with full implementation.