Thousands of Kenyan motorists will soon be required to present their vehicles for inspection after the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) announced that all vehicles older than four years from the date of manufacture will undergo annual inspections beginning July 1, 2026.
In a public notice signed by NTSA Director General Eng. Nashon Kondiwa, the Authority said the move is aimed at enhancing road safety and ensuring that vehicles operating on Kenyan roads meet the required standards.
“National Transport and Safety Authority, under Section 2(a) and Section 4(2)(b) of the NTSA Act, No. 33, 2012 is mandated with the responsibility of registration, licensing of motor vehicles/motorcycles and conducting motor vehicle inspection/certification,” the notice states.
The Authority further announced that, in line with Section 55 of the Traffic Act (Cap 403), inspections of motor vehicles will commence at NTSA centres from July 1.
“In implementation of Section 55 of the Traffic Act (Cap 403), the Authority shall conduct inspection of motor vehicles within NTSA centres from 1st July 2026,” the notice reads.
“All motor vehicle owners with vehicles above four years from the recorded date of manufacture are therefore expected to book for annual inspection through the NTSA service portal accessible through the eCitizen platform.”
Although the announcement has raised concerns among private motorists, NTSA clarified that enforcement of mandatory inspection for private vehicles will be communicated at a later date.
“Enforcement of mandatory inspection of private motor vehicles shall be communicated to the public in due course,” the Authority said.
School Buses Must Have Valid Inspection Stickers
The Authority also directed schools and transport operators to ensure that all vehicles ferrying children are roadworthy and have valid inspection certificates.
“The Authority will continue inspecting school transport vehicles within NTSA centres. School transport service operators and school management must ensure that all vehicles carrying children are roadworthy and have valid inspection stickers,” said Eng. Kondiwa.
NTSA added that law enforcement officers will be required to verify the authenticity of inspection stickers through the free NTSA Mobile App.
However, the Authority indicated that enforcement of some new requirements under the Traffic (School Transport) Rules, 2026, has not yet begun.
“The enforcement for rules 13 (Reflectorised red stop mechanical signal arms) and 14 (Telematic system) of the Traffic (School Transport) Rules, 2026 shall be communicated to the public in due course,” the notice added.
Commercial Vehicles to Continue Under Inspection
Commercial service vehicle owners have also been directed to ensure that their vehicles are roadworthy and possess valid inspection stickers.
“The Authority will continue inspecting commercial service vehicles within NTSA centres. All commercial service vehicle owners must ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and have valid inspection stickers,” the notice reads.
The Authority further noted that implementation of new requirements, including telematic systems and underride protection devices, will be announced later.
“The implementation of paragraphs (d-telematic system) and (h-underride protection devices) of regulation 9 – NTSA (Operations of Commercial Vehicles) Regulations, 2026 shall be communicated to the public in due course,” NTSA said.
NTSA Warns Against Fake Vehicle Inspection Centres
In what appears to be a warning to motorists against fraudsters, the Authority stressed that it has not licensed any private companies to conduct vehicle inspections.
“NTSA has not yet licensed any private entity to offer motor vehicle inspection services,” the notice states.
The warning comes amid growing public interest following the announcement of the new inspection regime, with many motorists seeking information on where and how inspections will be conducted.
Vehicle owners are expected to book inspections through the eCitizen platform once the process commences and await further communication from the Authority on the enforcement of mandatory inspections for private vehicles.
The latest directive by NTSA forms part of the government’s broader efforts to improve road safety, reduce accidents caused by unroadworthy vehicles and ensure that all vehicles on Kenyan roads comply with safety regulations.
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