Decentralised NTSA Vehicle Inspection to Launch July 1 Under New PPP Framework
Kenya’s transport sector is set for a major transformation after the government confirmed that the decentralised NTSA vehicle inspection programme will officially roll out on July 1.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir made the announcement during a morning brief at State House Nairobi on Monday, March 2, revealing that motorists across all counties will soon access inspection services without travelling to regional centres.
The reform, long anticipated, is expected to significantly ease congestion and modernise Kenya’s vehicle compliance framework.
Inspection Services to Move to All Counties
Chirchir explained that regulations on driving under the influence and school transport have already been published, paving the way for the broader decentralised rollout.
“Because we have done the gazettement, we are going to roll out the PPP framework for the private sector. We are also working with the NTSA to set the threshold on who will be licensed and the rules to inspect vehicles. It will start on July 1,” Chirchir stated.
Under the new framework, motorists will no longer be required to travel long distances to designated inspection hubs. Instead, inspection centres will be established in all counties in collaboration with the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).
PPP Model to Drive Investment
The programme will operate under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, with the government inviting private investors to set up and manage inspection centres under NTSA supervision.
“Vehicles will be inspected in all the counties and will not need to go to designated inspection centres. Inspection through PPP is a bankable business; the private sector is willing to invest in that space,” the CS added.
According to Chirchir, vehicle inspection is commercially viable and capable of attracting significant private capital while improving service delivery.
Transport Principal Secretary Mohamed Daghar clarified that investors have been given three months to construct inspection facilities, meaning centres must be operational by July 1.
The ministry estimates that the nationwide rollout will require nearly Ksh12 billion to establish fully functional inspection infrastructure across all counties.
President Ruto Backs Digitised Enforcement
President William Ruto, who sought clarity on the project’s timeline during the briefing, expressed strong support for the decentralised inspection and PPP approach.
“In this era of digitisation, working with the private sector will make it a lot easier for us to devolve that function because it is a revenue-earning function. Therefore, PPP is the most efficient way in terms of vehicle inspection,” Ruto stated.
Beyond inspection centres, the ministry is also finalising the installation of over 1,000 smart cameras designed to detect traffic violations automatically. The cameras are expected to go live on July 1 alongside the inspection programme.
According to the President, the combination of decentralised inspection and automated traffic enforcement could reduce longstanding road safety challenges in Kenya by over 70 per cent.
What This Means for Motorists
For drivers, the July 1 rollout signals a major shift. Reduced congestion at inspection centres, faster processing times, and easier access to compliance services are expected to improve overall efficiency.
However, the integration of smart cameras means traffic violations may soon be detected automatically, ushering in a stricter enforcement environment.
Motorists are therefore encouraged to stay updated through official NTSA communication channels and ensure their vehicles meet inspection standards before the new system takes effect.
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Decentralised NTSA Vehicle Inspection to Launch July 1 Under New PPP Framework