The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has announced that owners of motor vehicles older than four years from their recorded date of manufacture will be expected to start booking annual inspections at its centres beginning Tuesday, July 1, 2026.
In a public notice issued on Friday, June 26, the authority said the inspections will be conducted at NTSA centres, with vehicle owners required to book appointments through the NTSA service portal on the eCitizen platform.
The move forms part of the implementation of Section 55 of the Traffic Act, which provides for the inspection of motor vehicles to ascertain their roadworthiness.
However, NTSA clarified that it is yet to begin enforcing mandatory inspections for private vehicles, adding that the date when such enforcement will commence will be communicated to the public later.
"Enforcement of mandatory inspection of private motor vehicles shall be communicated to the public in due course," the authority's Director General Nashon Kondiwa, stated.
The clarification comes amid growing public debate over the planned return of mandatory vehicle inspections for privately owned cars, a proposal that has sparked mixed reactions from motorists.
NTSA also cautioned the public against seeking inspection services from private companies, noting that it has not licensed any private entity to conduct motor vehicle inspections.
"NTSA has not yet licensed any private entity to offer motor vehicle inspection services," the notice read.
Besides private vehicles, the authority confirmed that inspections for school transport vehicles and commercial service vehicles will continue at NTSA inspection centres.
School transport operators and school managements were directed to ensure all vehicles ferrying children are roadworthy and display valid inspection stickers, which law enforcement officers will verify using the NTSA Mobile App.
Similarly, owners of commercial service vehicles were instructed to maintain valid inspection certificates before operating on Kenyan roads.
NTSA, however, announced that enforcement of some of the new safety requirements introduced under the Traffic (School Transport) Rules, 2026, including reflectorised mechanical stop signal arms and telematic systems, has been deferred, with implementation dates to be communicated later.
The authority also postponed enforcement of new telematic systems and underride protection devices required under the NTSA (Operations of Commercial Vehicles) Regulations, 2026.
Meanwhile, NTSA reiterated its zero-tolerance policy on corruption, warning motorists against paying brokers or individuals claiming they can fast-track inspection services.
The authority urged members of the public to report any bribery attempts or unofficial channels offering NTSA services to its offices or the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
