Kenyans, including motorists, have been given 14 days to submit their views on proposed rules seeking to regulate the assessment of Public Service Vehicles (PSVs), including matatus.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

The Senate Standing Committee on Roads and Transportation on Thursday, September 24, called on Kenyans to submit written views on the National Transport and Safety Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

The proposed law seeks to amend the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) Act to establish a framework for regulating public service vehicle conformity assessors.

Under the Bill, NTSA will henceforth have the power to register and license inspectors who check whether public service vehicle bodies meet the required technical standards.

📌 What You Need to Know

Currently, the Kenya Association of Bus Manufacturers handles safety and conformity assessments for PSVs, a structure Parliament says creates a conflict of interest.

The proposed rules will now require an assessor to obtain a licence from NTSA before carrying out conformity assessments on PSVs within Kenya.

NTSA will also be required to ensure that an assessor seeking a licence is not involved in the design, manufacture, supply, installation, purchase, ownership or maintenance of the vehicles being inspected.

The Bill further proposes that NTSA prescribe the criteria for conducting conformity assessments and designate assessors to inspect public service vehicles every three years.

It also gives NTSA a role in conducting periodic audits of licensed conformity assessors to ensure compliance with the law.

The Bill notes that there is currently no legal provision that regulates the assessment of public service vehicles, leaving a gap in the rules governing how such vehicles are inspected and approved.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke