NTSA Suspends Roadside Vehicle Inspection Enforcement For Private Cars
News Updated: 29 June 2026 15:14 EAT
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NTSA has temporarily suspended the enforcement of mandatory vehicle inspection requirements for private vehicles during roadside checks, offering motorists temporary relief as it prepares for the phased implementation of the new inspection regulations. The authority clarified that while the inspection programme remains in place, traffic officers have been directed not to demand proof of inspection from private vehicle owners during roadside enforcement until further notice.
The announcement follows concerns raised by motorists after NTSA introduced regulations requiring all private vehicles older than four years to undergo annual inspections beginning July 1, 2026. The inspections form part of broader reforms aimed at improving road safety by ensuring vehicles on Kenyan roads meet minimum roadworthiness standards and reducing accidents linked to mechanical failures.
NTSA said private vehicle owners should continue familiarising themselves with the new inspection requirements and book inspections through the eCitizen platform once implementation timelines are fully communicated. The authority emphasized that the temporary suspension only affects roadside enforcement and does not amount to the cancellation of the inspection programme.
The regulator also extended relief to school transport operators by suspending enforcement of Rule 13 of the Traffic (School Transport) Rules, 2026, which requires school buses to be fitted with reflectorised red stop mechanical signal arms. Enforcement of Rule 14, which requires the installation of telematic systems in school buses, has also been deferred pending further notice.
Public Service Vehicle (PSV) operators and other commercial transport providers have similarly been granted temporary relief from penalties for failing to comply with Regulation 9(d) of the NTSA (Operation of Commercial Service Vehicles) Regulations, 2026. The regulation requires commercial vehicles to install telematic systems for monitoring vehicle movement and driver behaviour, but NTSA said enforcement will begin only after the implementation framework is finalized.
Despite the temporary suspension of selected enforcement measures, NTSA maintained that mandatory inspections for school transport vehicles, commercial service vehicles and other categories already covered under existing laws will continue at designated inspection centres. Operators in these categories are still required to obtain valid inspection certificates before operating on public roads.
The authority explained that the phased implementation is intended to allow motorists and transport operators adequate time to comply with the new regulations while giving NTSA sufficient time to strengthen inspection capacity across the country. It added that further public notices will communicate the effective dates for full enforcement of the affected provisions.
NTSA also cautioned members of the public against relying on misleading information circulating on social media regarding the inspection programme. The authority urged motorists and transport operators to obtain updates exclusively through its official communication channels to avoid confusion and misinformation.
The vehicle inspection reforms are part of the government's wider road safety strategy aimed at improving compliance with safety standards, enhancing public transport safety and reducing road traffic crashes caused by unroadworthy vehicles. NTSA said it remains committed to implementing the regulations in a structured manner while engaging stakeholders throughout the transition period.
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FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD