Relief for Motorists as Senate Committee Moves to Scrap NTSA’s New Rules

Motorists and commercial vehicle operators could get some relief after a Senate committee rejected new regulations proposed by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA). The Senate Committee on Delegated Legislation recommended that the rules be rejected, arguing that they were introduced without following the law.According to documents obtained by Kenyans.co.ke, the committee raised concerns that the regulations could give NTSA excessive powers over vehicle operators. It also warned that the rules could expose drivers and vehicle owners to harassment by enforcement officers and force them to incur high costs when installing new safety systems.

The committee further noted that NTSA had not provided a clear transition period for operators to comply with the requirements. It also questioned the public participation process, stating that notices were published in the Kenya Gazette and MyGov but not in a newspaper with nationwide circulation. The committee also raised concerns about inadequate consultation with affected stakeholders.

The proposed regulations, which were set to take effect on July 1, 2026, required commercial vehicle owners to obtain an annual NTSA operator licence costing KSh 2,000 and a separate vehicle licence costing KSh 500. Vehicles were also required to have valid insurance, inspection certificates, speed limiters, telematics systems and reflective markings.

Other requirements included installing fire extinguishers, first-aid kits and underride protection devices. Drivers were also expected to conduct vehicle inspections before and after trips, observe maximum driving hours and report mechanical problems immediately.

NTSA had also proposed classifying heavy commercial vehicles weighing more than 3,048 kilogrammes when empty as workplaces under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. However, the Senate committee recommended that Parliament annul the regulations, a move that could provide relief to commercial vehicle operators if adopted by the House.

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