The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has announced a nationwide public awareness campaign ahead of the planned rollout of mandatory annual vehicle inspections across Kenya.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir said the government will first engage motorists and key stakeholders to ensure the new inspection rules are well understood before enforcement begins. He made the remarks while appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Delegated Legislation in Mombasa on May 15.
Under the proposed Traffic (Motor Vehicle Inspection) Rules 2026, private vehicles older than four years will now be required to undergo annual inspections to confirm they are roadworthy and meet safety standards. Public service vehicles, school transport, and commercial fleets will also face stricter inspection requirements.
The government says the changes are aimed at reducing road accidents linked to poor vehicle maintenance, faulty brakes, worn-out tyres, and other mechanical problems. NTSA has argued that regular inspections will help identify defects early and improve road safety nationwide.
During the parliamentary session, lawmakers raised concerns about whether the government has enough inspection centres across all 47 counties to handle the large number of vehicles expected under the new system.
In response, Chirchir revealed that establishing a single inspection centre costs around KSh300 million, prompting the government to consider a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model where licensed private centres will help provide inspection services.
The decentralised inspection programme is expected to officially begin on July 1, 2026, allowing motorists to access services closer to their counties instead of travelling to a few designated centres.
NTSA has also indicated that vehicles will be checked during key stages such as ownership transfers, after accidents, and when re-registering salvage vehicles. Cars that pass inspections will receive official inspection stickers as proof of compliance.
At the same time, the authority plans to intensify awareness campaigns to educate motorists about the inspection process, common reasons vehicles fail tests, and the importance of regular maintenance.
The rollout marks one of the biggest road safety reforms in Kenya in recent years as the government moves to tighten enforcement and reduce the number of unroadworthy vehicles on Kenyan roads.