Matiang’i Urges Government to Halt Planned Annual Vehicle Inspections

Fred Matiang’i has called on the government to suspend plans to introduce mandatory annual vehicle inspections, arguing that the proposed policy would place an unnecessary financial burden on motorists.

The Jubilee Party deputy leader said the planned inspection fee of Sh2,000 per vehicle each year would add to the growing costs already faced by households and businesses. While acknowledging that road safety is an important national priority, Matiang’i said the proposal lacks transparency and has not been supported by sufficient public consultation.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the former Interior Cabinet Secretary said public policy should be based on evidence, be proportionate, transparent and take account of the economic pressures facing citizens. He argued that the proposed inspection programme does not meet those standards.

Matiang’i said motorists are already dealing with high fuel prices, multiple taxes, rising insurance premiums, expensive spare parts, parking charges and licensing fees. He argued that introducing another compulsory payment would increase the financial burden without clear evidence that it is necessary. "Road safety is essential. Excessive financial extraction is not," he said.

He also questioned whether the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has the capacity to implement the programme effectively. Matiang’i called on the agency to disclose how many vehicles would be covered, how much revenue it expects to collect, and the evidence showing that annual inspections would reduce road accidents.

He further asked NTSA to explain what measures would be put in place to prevent corruption and inefficiency. Without such safeguards, he warned, the programme could become another source of rent-seeking and unnecessary harassment of motorists.

The Jubilee Party has urged Parliament to examine the proposal and require NTSA to present supporting data before the policy is introduced. Matiang’i said mechanical faults are only one cause of road crashes, while reckless driving, speeding, drink-driving, poor road design and weak enforcement of traffic laws contribute more significantly to accidents.

He argued that improving road safety requires a broader approach that addresses these factors rather than focusing mainly on vehicle inspections.