The High Court has upheld a directive by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) requiring all public service vehicles (PSVs) to remove graffiti, artistic designs, and tinted windows, clearing the way for a nationwide enforcement campaign.
In a ruling delivered on April 29, the court dismissed a petition that sought to block the directive, with Justice Bahati Mwamuye finding that NTSA acted within its legal mandate. The judge ruled that the directive is lawful and aimed at improving road safety and regulatory compliance.
The order traces back to a May 2025 notice issued by NTSA, which required PSV operators to eliminate unauthorised artwork and modifications. According to the authority, such designs made it difficult to identify vehicles, including key details like SACCO names and mandatory markings such as the yellow line.
The court also agreed with NTSA that heavily tinted windows and decorative features hinder law enforcement and compromise passenger safety. It ruled that limiting such modifications is justified under the law, as public safety takes precedence over artistic expression.
The case had been filed by petitioners who argued that the directive undermined Kenya’s vibrant matatu culture and was introduced without proper public participation. However, the court rejected these claims, stating that no constitutional rights had been violated.
As a result of the ruling, PSV operators are now required to immediately comply by removing all graffiti, decorative artwork, and tinted windows that obscure visibility or official markings.
The decision marks a major shift for Kenya’s matatu industry, prioritising standardisation and safety over the popular “nganya” culture that has long defined urban transport, especially in Nairobi.