The High Court in Kiambu has temporarily halted the implementation of the planned motor vehicle inspection rules by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).
In an order delivered by Justice Francis Nyungu Kyambia on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, the conservatory orders were urgent after the application was filed challenging the NTSA’s new rules.
The roads inspection authority has been blocked from enforcing the new rules.
“That a conservatory order be and is hereby issued suspending the operation and enforcement of Rule 3(1), Rule 12(2), Rule 16(4), Rule 30(1)(d), and the first schedule of the Traffic (Motor Vehicle Inspection) Rules 2026 (Legal Notice No. 13 of 2026 in so far and to the extent that it applies to private non-commercial vehicles,” Kyambia ordered.
NTSA notice suspended
The gazette notice by NTSA dated June 26, 2026, that was published, notifying the public of the new rules and intended inspection, has also been suspended.
“That a conservatory order be and is hereby issued suspending the first respondent’s notice dated and published on June 26, 2026, in so far as and to the extent that it requires annual inspection of private non-commercial vehicles,” Kyambia ordered.
The orders will remain in force pending a determination of the application filed in court.
With the new rules in place, NTSA expected that all privately owned and government vehicles older than four years from the date of manufacture would be required to undergo annual mandatory inspections.
According to the petitioners, NTSA introduced the new rules before conducting public participation, and the rules, if implemented, shall subject motorists to unconstitutional fees and penalties.
They further believe that the rules will bring about harsh criminal sanctions because they impose extreme punitive offenses in terms of unfair imprisonment not exceeding six months and hefty fines on conviction or both, they argued.
The court is expected to hear the matter on 22 July this year.
