A Nairobi advocate has filed a constitutional petition in the High Court seeking to halt the National Transport and Safety Authority's (NTSA) new mandatory vehicle inspection regulations, scheduled to take effect on July 1.

• The lawsuit argues the Traffic (Motor Vehicle Inspection) Rules, 2026, were enacted without public participation and impose unconstitutional fees and penalties.
• The petitioner, advocate Charles Mugane, is suing the NTSA and the Attorney General.
• Under the new rules, all private and government vehicles older than four years would require annual inspections, with challenges also raised against the inspection charges and criminal sanctions.

The Kenyan government's introduction of mandatory annual inspections for private vehicles manufactured more than four years ago has sparked significant public and political outcry.

• The new regulations, set to take effect on July 1, 2026, mandate annual roadworthiness tests for millions of private cars.
• Key figures opposing the move include Jubilee Deputy Party Leader Fred Matiang'i and Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua.
• Motorists who fail to comply risk prosecution, fines up to Sh20,000, and potential vehicle impoundment.

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has announced a temporary reprieve for private motorists, school transport operators, and commercial vehicle operators regarding recent mandatory vehicle inspection rules.

• Traffic officers will not enforce the mandatory inspection requirement on private vehicles during route checks.
• NTSA has also stated that school transport and commercial service vehicle operators will not be penalized for non-compliance with specific telematic system and reflectorised stop signal arm rules.
• The Authority cautioned the public against spreading misleading information and will communicate implementation timelines for these regulations in due course.