The government, through Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, has unveiled a raft of proposed traffic regulations that are set to transform how motor vehicles are inspected, operated, and monitored on Kenyan roads starting in 2025.
Dubbed the Traffic (Motor Vehicle Inspection) Rules, 2025, the new proposals introduce a legal framework to guide inspection standards and promote safer, cleaner, and more roadworthy vehicles across the country.
Under the proposed regulations, all motor vehicles older than four years, including commercial vehicles, school transport, and public service vehicles (PSVs), will be subjected to mandatory periodic inspections. The inspections will be conducted at government-approved testing centres to ensure compliance with safety and mechanical standards.
In addition, the government plans to roll out inspections at various stages of a vehicle’s life cycle, including pre-registration, post-accident assessments, and change-of-particulars reviews. This is aimed at ensuring that any vehicle undergoing ownership transfer or structural modification is properly vetted.
The draft rules will also regulate the classification and re-registration of salvage vehicles, ensuring only roadworthy units are allowed back on the road. Inspection stickers will be issued for vehicles that pass the checks, acting as proof of compliance during roadside enforcement.
To strengthen the capacity for inspections, the government will license and regulate private vehicle testing centres and individual inspectors. These entities will be held to strict standards and subject to oversight to prevent corruption and ensure accurate reporting of test results.
The new framework introduces clear penalties and enforcement mechanisms. Motorists who fail to comply with inspection requirements risk fines, vehicle impoundment, and possible licence suspensions. This is part of a broader crackdown aimed at restoring discipline on Kenya’s roads.
Complementing the motor vehicle inspection rules are the Traffic (School Transport) Rules, 2025, which provide a detailed framework for the safe and regulated transportation of schoolchildren. The rules set minimum safety standards for school vehicles, including seat belts, fire extinguishers, and telematics systems for monitoring.
Further, the rules define the qualifications and conduct of school drivers and attendants, outline approved boarding procedures and operating hours, and prohibit unauthorised use of school transport vehicles. Clear guidelines on signage, colour coding, and school bus markings have also been included.
To address a long-standing gap in enforcement, the government has also drafted the Traffic (Drink Driving) Rules, 2025, aimed at cracking down on intoxicated drivers. These rules set legal alcohol limits, authorise testing through breathalysers, blood, and urine samples, and spell out the procedures for handling test results.
The drink driving rules also introduce penalties for non-compliance, including refusal to provide a specimen and repeat offences. Courts will be empowered to accept results from certified devices, and habitual offenders may face licence suspension or revocation.
Separately, the government is developing the National Transport and Safety (Operation of Commercial Vehicles) Regulations, 2025, which will target the logistics and PSV sectors with new operational guidelines. These will include driver work-hour limits, electronic logging, and cargo tracking systems to reduce fatigue-related accidents and promote accountability.
