The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has moved to clarify its plan to introduce mandatory annual inspections for private motor vehicles, following widespread public concern.
In a statement, the Authority announced that private vehicles older than four years will be required to undergo compulsory annual inspections starting July 1. The inspection fee is set at KSh 2,000 per vehicle. Motorcycles will also be subject to compulsory inspection charges under the new regulations.
The directive will also apply to other specific categories, including locally assembled vehicles, vehicles that have been involved in accidents, and those that have undergone structural or mechanical modifications.
However, amid public uproar, NTSA says enforcement will not be immediate. The Authority stated that traffic officers will not enforce the mandatory inspection requirement during routine roadside checks for private vehicle owners. Similarly, school transport operators and commercial service vehicle operators will not be penalized for non-compliance at this time.
NTSA urged Kenyans to be cautious of misleading information circulating online, noting that “inspections across various categories of motor vehicles will vary.”
“Information on implementation and enforcement of the above mentioned sections/rules shall be communicated to the public in due course,” the Authority said.
According to NTSA, Kenya has more than six million registered motor vehicles.
The clarification comes as motorists question the timing and cost of the new compliance requirement.
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