The High Court has ordered the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to transfer ownership of six vehicles to the state.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

From the gazette notice dated August 23, the vehicles were found to be proceeds of crime, following a case filed by the Assets Recovery Agency (ARA).

Justice Rose Ougo directed NTSA's Director General Nashon Kondiwa to cancel the current registration details and issue fresh certificates in the agency's name.

Thus, the ruling brings to a close a case that had dragged on since early last year, when the application was first filed, which began with an originating motion filed in February 2025, seeking to have the vehicles declared proceeds of criminal activity.

📌 What You Need to Know

Three respondents were named in the suit, alongside a fourth party listed as an interested party in the proceedings.

The court agreed with the ARAs' argument, ruling that the six vehicles had no legitimate financial trail behind them.

Among the vehicles caught up in the forfeiture are a Toyota Fielder, a Toyota Rumion, and a Toyota Prado. Also included are a Toyota HZJ79R pick-up, a Mitsubishi Fuso truck, and a Toyota station wagon model.

The court found that all six vehicles fell squarely within the definition of proceeds of crime under the law.

Under the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act , civil forfeiture of property tied to criminal proceeds, including movable assets like motor vehicles. Section 92 lets the High Court rule on a balance of probabilities.

Crucially, forfeiture rulings under Section 92 proceed independently of any criminal conviction. This civil standard allows authorities to pursue asset recovery even where prosecutors have not secured, or do not pursue, a criminal case.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke