Court Stops NTSA From Enforcing Mandatory Annual Car Inspections
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The High Court in Kiambu has temporarily stopped the enforcement of the mandatory annual inspection requirement for private non-commercial vehicles after issuing a conservatory order against the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).
Justice Francis Nyungu Kyambia issued the orders on Wednesday, July 1, pending the hearing and determination of a petition challenging the legality of the new inspection rules.
The conservatory orders come just days after NTSA announced that private motor vehicles more than four years old would be required to undergo annual inspections under the Traffic (Motor Vehicle Inspection) Rules, 2026.
The Authority had planned to implement the new rules as part of efforts to improve road safety.
The case was filed by Wilberforce Akello against the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), the Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport, and other respondents.
In the court orders, Justice Kyambia certified the application as urgent and suspended the enforcement of parts of the Traffic (Motor Vehicle Inspection) Rules, 2026, as they apply to private non-commercial vehicles.
The court also suspended the NTSA notice published on June 26, 2026, which required owners of private non-commercial vehicles to undergo mandatory annual inspections.
What the Court Said In the Ruling
In the ruling, Justice Kyambia stated,”A conservatory order be and is hereby issued suspending the operation and enforcement of Rules 3(1), Rule 12(2), Rule 16(4), Rule 30(1)(d) and the First Schedule of the Traffic (Motor Vehicle Inspection) Rules, 2026… in so far and to the extent that it applies to private non-commercial vehicles.”
The judge further ordered,”A conservatory order be and is hereby issued suspending the 1st Respondent Notice dated and published on 26/06/2026 in so far and to the extent that it requires annual inspection of private non-commercial vehicles.”
Next Steps in the Case
The petitioner has been directed to serve the court documents on the respondents within seven days.
The respondents will then have 14 days after being served to file their responses and submissions.
The application will be heard on July 22, 2026, when the parties will appear before the court for an inter partes hearing.
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Court Stops NTSA From Enforcing Mandatory Annual Car Inspections
PHOTO/Joshua Malidzo