NAIROBI, Kenya- Former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Nelson Havi has criticised the government’s plan to charge owners of private vehicles Sh2,000 for mandatory annual inspections, describing the move as an attempt to reintroduce a motor vehicle tax that Kenyans rejected in 2024.
In a post on X, Havi argued that the proposed inspection fee amounted to unlawful taxation and urged motorists to resist its implementation.
“The Government cannot reintroduce the Motor Vehicle Tax rejected in 2024 through the fee of Ksh2,000 sought to be collected through the inspection of private vehicles,” Havi said.
He further accused the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) of failing to address the country’s road safety challenges while shifting the financial burden onto private motorists.
According to Havi, the agency has allowed unroadworthy public service vehicles to continue operating despite posing risks to road users.
“NTSA has permitted unroadworthy public transport vehicles to remain on roads. The Government has failed or refused to repair roads,” he said.
The former LSK president described the inspection charges as “another way of stealing from Kenyans,” insisting that the proposed levy should be opposed.
“The illegal taxation of private vehicles, which is another way of stealing from Kenyans, should be resisted,” he added.
His remarks come days after NTSA announced that all privately owned motor vehicles older than four years from the date of manufacture will be required to undergo annual inspections beginning July 1, 2026, as part of enhanced road safety measures.
Under the new framework, vehicle owners will pay Sh2,000 for each inspection conducted at designated inspection centres.
The authority says the exercise is intended to ensure vehicles on Kenyan roads meet minimum safety and roadworthiness standards, helping reduce accidents linked to mechanical defects.
The announcement has sparked public debate, with critics questioning both the legal basis of the inspection fee and the government’s decision to extend mandatory inspections to private vehicles.