NTSA Set for New Role in Matatu Inspections Under Proposed Law

NTSA Set for New Role in Matatu Inspections Under Proposed Law

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) could take on a larger role in inspecting public service vehicles (PSVs), including matatus, if proposed changes to the law are approved.

Kenyans have been given 14 days to submit their views on the National Transport and Safety Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which seeks to introduce new rules for the assessment and certification of public service vehicles.

The Senate Standing Committee on Roads and Transportation issued the call on Thursday, September 24, asking members of the public, including motorists and matatu operators, to review the proposed legislation and submit their views.

The Bill seeks to amend the NTSA Act by establishing a legal framework for regulating PSV conformity assessors. Under the proposed law, NTSA would be given powers to register and license inspectors responsible for determining whether PSV bodies meet required technical and safety standards.

The proposed changes would also affect how vehicle assessors operate in Kenya.

Currently, the Kenya Association of Bus Manufacturers is involved in safety and conformity assessments for public service vehicles. Parliament has raised concerns that the existing arrangement could create a conflict of interest where an organisation involved in the vehicle manufacturing sector also participates in assessing vehicles.

Under the proposed law, any person or organisation seeking to conduct PSV conformity assessments would first be required to obtain a licence from NTSA.

The assessor would also have to meet strict independence requirements. The Bill proposes that an assessor should not be involved in the design, manufacture, supply, installation, purchase, ownership or maintenance of a vehicle being assessed.

The proposed changes would give NTSA responsibility for setting the criteria used during conformity assessments. The authority would also designate licensed assessors to inspect public service vehicles at intervals of three years.

NTSA would further be required to conduct periodic audits of licensed conformity assessors to establish whether they are complying with the law and the required technical standards.

The proposed legislation states that Kenya currently lacks a specific legal framework regulating the assessment of public service vehicles. The new law is therefore intended to address what lawmakers describe as a regulatory gap in the inspection and approval of PSV bodies.

The Senate committee said public participation was an important part of the legislative process and encouraged Kenyans to submit recommendations before the deadline.

“The committee is required, under Standing Order 145(5) of the Senate Standing Orders, to facilitate public participation on the Bill and to take into account the views and recommendations of the public,” the notice stated.

Members of the public have until Thursday, October 8, 2026, at 5pm to submit their views.

The submissions can be delivered to the Clerk of the Senate at Parliament Buildings in Nairobi or sent through the communication channels provided by Parliament.

If enacted, the proposed amendments would give NTSA a more direct regulatory role in the conformity assessment of matatus and other public service vehicles.

The changes could also introduce clearer separation between vehicle manufacturers and inspectors, while establishing a licensing and audit system for organisations involved in PSV assessments.

The Bill remains subject to the legislative process, including consideration of views submitted during public participation, before Parliament can determine whether the proposed amendments will become law.

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NTSA Set for New Role in Matatu Inspections Under Proposed Law