New proposal to have cars older than 4 years inspected sparks fury

TMotorists stranded on Moi South Lake road in Naivasha. [File, Standard] A new regulation proposing to subject the majority of the country's 2.1 million vehicles older than four years to annual inspections has sparked public outrage, with many Kenyans protesting what they see as an unfair financial burden introduced by Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir. According to newly proposed traffic regulations gazetted earlier this week, motorists whose vehicles are older than four years will be required to take them for mandatory annual inspections. In his Gazette notice, CS Chirchir stated that the proposed Traffic (Motor Vehicle Inspection) Rules, 2025 are anchored in Section 119(g) of the Traffic Act. The aim is to establish a structured legal framework for inspecting vehicles to promote roadworthiness, reduce emissions, and enhance road safety. If implemented, the mandatory inspections will apply to all vehicles older than four years, as well as all commercial, school, and public service vehicles. Inspections will also be required before vehicle registration, after accidents, and during changes to vehicle particulars. "Specifically, the rules seek to classify and regulate salvage vehicles including their inspection and re-registration procedures, establish the standards and processes for issuing inspection stickers, provide for licensing and regulation of private vehicle testing centres and inspectors, and introduce penalties and enforcement mechanisms for non-compliance with inspection requirements," reads the Gazette in part. The government is also seeking to streamline school transport operations through the Traffic (School Transport) Rules, 2025, developed under Sections 105B(3) and 119(p) of the Traffic Act. These rules aim to ensure the professional and safe transportation of schoolchildren by introducing a licensing framework for school transport providers and vehicles. To this effect, CS Chirchir proposes that all school vehicles be equipped with seat belts, fire extinguishers, and telematics systems as part of new minimum safety requirements. The Auto Bazaar Association of Kenya has warned against the hurried implementation of the proposed regulations. The Association's Secretary-General, Charles Munyori expressed support for the regulations introduced through the Gazette notice dated 18 June 2025, albeit with reservations. Concerned about the lack of adequate infrastructure to carry out mandatory inspections on the more than 2.1 million registered vehicles in the country, Munyori called for the privatisation of inspection centres to ensure successful implementation. "You cannot wake up one morning and say you will implement mandatory inspections without putting in place the relevant infrastructure... For the government to implement these regulations, they must ensure that there are enough inspection centres, because some public service vehicles currently take more than a week under inspection," stated the Secretary-General. Munyori, while noting that the inspections may not necessarily reduce the number of vehicles on the roads, reiterated that the regulations would only be effective if corruption is eliminated. "So long as your vehicles are well maintained, then there is nothing to worry about... The regulations will only be good for the country if they (government) implement them effectively. You are aware that there's a lot of corruption in the current inspection system. If the issue of corruption comes up, such as when PSVs go for inspection and pay to get stickers, then there will be a problem," he added. To further address road safety, the government has proposed the Traffic (Drink Driving) Rules, 2025, under Section 109(1)(na) of the Traffic Act. These rules are intended to strengthen enforcement and punishment mechanisms for intoxicated driving by prescribing legal alcohol limits for drivers and prohibiting operation of vehicles above those thresholds. The rules provide for alcohol testing using approved breathalysers, as well as blood and urine samples. Procedures for conducting tests, handling specimens, and the admissibility of test results in court have also been outlined. Drivers who fail to comply with specimen submission requests by police will face penalties. Repeat offenders will be subject to a graduated penalty regime, including licence suspension or revocation. Asked whether inspections were intended to also nab illegally imported vehicles or those diverted from their intended destinations, Munyori said: "The issue of transit vehicles being diverted from their destinations has largely been contained by KRA. Vehicles are now tracked from the port up until their destination. The issue of those coming from towns along Kenyan borders I believe will also be addressed." Additionally, the National Transport and Safety (Operation of Commercial Vehicles) Regulations, 2025, developed under Section 54 of the NTSA Act, are designed to enhance regulation, licensing, and operational standards in the commercial transport sector. Commercial vehicle owners, operators, and drivers will undergo a licensing process, and the vehicles themselves must meet specific safety and compliance standards. Equipment requirements such as speed governors, telematics systems, and underride protection devices have been proposed. The rules will also regulate driver behaviour, limit working hours, and mandate safety training. Further, the regulations will establish operational protocols, including designated operating hours and boarding procedures, and prohibit the use of school transport vehicles for private errands unless a temporary licence is obtained. Drivers and attendants will be required to meet qualification standards, with their conduct, responsibilities, and those of crossing guards strictly regulated. The regulations also set standards for signage, colour coding, and marking of school vehicles, while outlining offences, penalties for non-compliance, and an appeals mechanism for aggrieved parties. "The rules specifically seek to prescribe standards for signage, colour coding, and marking of school vehicles and introduce offences and penalties for non-compliance, alongside an appeal mechanism," the Gazette notes.

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