The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has dismissed claims that the proposed annual motor vehicle inspection programme is a backdoor attempt to reintroduce the controversial Motor Vehicle Circulation Tax that was rejected in 2024.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

Speaking amid growing public criticism over the proposed inspection regulations and revised inspection charges, NTSA Director General Nashon Kondiwa defended the move, saying the exercise is aimed at improving road safety, reducing vehicle emissions and modernising vehicle inspection services across the country.

According to the Authority, the inspection programme is necessary to ensure the sustainability of services and attract investment into modern vehicle testing infrastructure.

“When it comes to making money, we have a better way to make money as an Authority since we need to be sustainable,” Kondiwa said while explaining the rationale behind the revised inspection fees.

📌 What You Need to Know

Kenyans.co.ke has established that NTSA will charge Ksh1,000 booking fee for vehicles below 3,000cc alongside an inspection fee of up to Ksh1,000 charged by inspection centres, bringing the total annual cost to Ksh2,000, while motorcycle and three-wheeler owners would pay a combined fee of Ksh500, including a Ksh200 booking fee and a maximum inspection fee of Ksh300.

According to NTSA, the regulation was to take effect on June 1, 2026, and the regulations also propose the licensing of privately operated vehicle testing centres to work alongside government facilities. Vehicles that fail inspection would receive a defect report requiring repairs before re-inspection.

Speaking on Tuesday, June 30, Kondiwa noted that inspection charges for private vehicles have remained unchanged for nearly three decades despite inflation and rising operational costs.

He further revealed that it had initially considered a graduated fee structure based on engine capacity, which would have seen owners of larger vehicles paying up to Ksh5,000 annually. However, the authority said it abandoned the proposal due to concerns over the economic burden on motorists.

“We settled on Ksh2,000 because we understood the pressure Kenyans are facing. It is still money, yes, but this is about sustaining services,” Kondiwa added.

According to Kondiwa, currently, Kenya has only 17 government-owned vehicle inspection centres serving motorists nationwide. NTSA says it plans to increase the number to at least 47 centres, one in every county, to improve accessibility.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke