NTSA Breaks Silence on Mandatory Annual Vehicle Inspections as Motorists Raise Concerns

By Linda Olendo

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has clarified concerns surrounding the government's plan to introduce mandatory annual inspections for private motor vehicles.

Under the new regulations, private vehicles that are more than four years old will be required to undergo annual inspections at a total cost of KSh2,000, comprising a KSh1,000 booking fee and a KSh1,000 inspection fee. Motorcycles will also be subject to compulsory inspections, with charges varying depending on the category of the vehicle.

However, NTSA has assured motorists that traffic police will not enforce the inspection requirement during routine road checks for now.

In a statement, the Authority urged the public to disregard misleading information circulating online, adding that details on the implementation and enforcement of the new rules will be communicated in due course.

The regulations will also apply to locally assembled vehicles, vehicles involved in road accidents, and those that have undergone structural or mechanical modifications.

Kenya has more than six million registered vehicles. If all eligible vehicles comply with the new requirements, the government could collect at least KSh12 billion annually from the combined booking and inspection fees.

NTSA Director General Nashon Kondiwa said the annual inspection requirement is already provided for in law but acknowledged that a 12-month inspection interval may not be sufficient for vehicles that spend most of their time on the road. He added that NTSA is working to operationalise private vehicle inspection centres to increase inspection capacity nationwide.

The policy has, however, attracted criticism from political leaders. Fred Matiang'i and Rigathi Gachagua have termed the move insensitive, arguing that it comes at a time when Kenyans are grappling with high fuel prices, rising insurance premiums, increased taxation and the high cost of living.

Matiang'i has called for the suspension of the policy until it undergoes public scrutiny. He questioned how many vehicles will be affected, the projected annual revenue, whether the inspections will significantly reduce road accidents, and whether NTSA has the capacity to inspect millions of vehicles without creating delays.

He also raised concerns over accountability, asking what safeguards have been put in place to ensure the programme does not become an avenue for corruption, rent-seeking or harassment of motorists.

As the implementation of the new regulations begins, motorists and stakeholders are awaiting further communication from NTSA on how the inspection programme will be rolled out and whether concerns raised by the public will be addressed.