NAIROBI, Kenya- Jubilee Party Deputy Leader Fred Matiang’i has called on the government to suspend the planned rollout of mandatory annual vehicle inspections for private vehicles older than four years, arguing that the new charges are unfair and will place an additional financial burden on struggling Kenyans.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Matiang’i said while road safety is a legitimate national objective, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) had failed to justify the policy with sufficient evidence and had overlooked the economic realities facing motorists.
The former Interior Cabinet Secretary said motorists are already grappling with high fuel prices, multiple taxes, insurance premiums, licensing fees, parking charges and the rising cost of living.
“Introducing another compulsory annual payment without demonstrating its necessity places yet another financial burden on households and businesses that are already under immense pressure,” Matiang’i said.
His remarks come after NTSA directed owners of private and government vehicles older than four years from the date of manufacture to begin booking annual inspections from July 1 under the Traffic (Motor Vehicle Inspection) Rules, 2026.
Motorists with vehicles below 3,000cc will pay a combined Sh2,000, comprising a Sh1,000 booking fee and a Sh1,000 inspection fee, while motorcycles and three-wheelers will attract lower charges.
Matiang’i questioned the basis for the new inspection regime, demanding that the government publish data supporting the policy before implementation.
Among the issues he raised were the number of vehicles expected to be affected, the amount of revenue the government expects to collect annually, and evidence showing that annual inspections for vehicles older than four years would significantly reduce road crashes.
He also questioned whether NTSA has sufficient inspection capacity to handle millions of vehicles efficiently without creating delays or opportunities for corruption.
“Road safety cannot be reduced to the collection of inspection fees,” he said.
The Jubilee deputy party leader argued that the government should instead focus on tackling the leading causes of road accidents, including reckless driving, speeding, drunk driving, poor road design, inadequate road maintenance and weak enforcement of existing traffic laws.
He further urged Parliament to scrutinise the policy and require NTSA to table the supporting data, cost-benefit analysis and implementation plan before the regulations take effect.
“We call upon all Kenyans to reject this policy in its current form and to demand a transparent, evidence-based and affordable road safety framework that protects both lives and livelihoods,” Matiang’i said.
The new inspection rules are part of broader road safety reforms introduced by the Ministry of Roads and Transport and NTSA.
The regulations require annual inspections for private vehicles older than four years and continue mandatory inspections for public service, commercial and school vehicles. Failure to comply may attract penalties under the Traffic Act.