By Issa Hussein - Reporter
Kenya, June 28, 2026 - Jubilee Party Deputy Leader Fred Matiang'i has opposed the government's plan to introduce mandatory annual inspections for private motor vehicles from July, arguing that the policy will place an additional financial burden on Kenyans already grappling with the high cost of living.
The criticism follows the National Transport and Safety Authority's (NTSA) announcement that private vehicles older than four years will undergo compulsory annual inspections at a cost of KSh2,000 per vehicle. Motorcycles will also be subject to mandatory inspections under the new regulations.
In a statement shared on X, Matiang'i described the policy as lacking sufficient evidence, transparency and sensitivity to the prevailing economic challenges facing households and businesses.
He argued that introducing another compulsory annual payment without clearly demonstrating its necessity would further strain citizens already dealing with rising fuel prices, higher insurance premiums, multiple taxes and increased living costs.
The former Interior Cabinet Secretary called on the government to suspend the implementation of the policy until it undergoes public scrutiny. He said key questions remain unanswered, including how many vehicles will be affected, the amount of revenue expected to be generated annually, whether the inspections will significantly reduce road accidents, and whether NTSA has adequate capacity to inspect millions of vehicles without causing delays.
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Matiang'i said Kenya's economic recovery should be driven by economic growth, job creation, improved public services and the fight against corruption, rather than introducing additional charges on citizens.
The new inspection regulations will also apply to Public Service Vehicles (PSVs), school vehicles, locally assembled vehicles, vehicles involved in accidents, and those that have undergone structural or mechanical modifications.
NTSA has maintained that the annual inspection requirement is already provided for under existing law. The authority's Director General, Nashon Kondiwa, said NTSA is working to operationalise private vehicle inspection centres to increase inspection capacity as the regulations take effect.