The national government is set to introduce new stringent rules for old car owners in the new proposed law that is currently in parliament.
According to the new guidelines set to be introduced, cars that have exceeded four years since the day of manufacture will now be required to adhere to strict inspection rules.
The law at the moment requires that motorists have to present their cars for inspection after hitting the 4-year mark by the Motor Vehicle Inspection Unit.
In the latest proposal in parliament, the cars will now have to undergo mandatory inspection with new timeliness being set by the National Transport Safety Authority (NTSA). The frequency of inspection will also change.
“Every vehicle that has been operated for a period exceeding four years from the recorded date of manufacture shall be subjected to inspection at intervals to be determined by the authority (NTSA),” the Bill states.
Previously, the vehicle inspection fee was capped at Ksh1,000 for all categories of vehicles, irrespective of type, size, and class.
But now, NTSA inspects a motorcycle at Ksh1,300, three-wheelers and vehicles up to 3,000cc (Ksh2,600) while vehicles more than 3000cc cost Ksh3,900.
For trucks of up to five tonnes costs Ksh2,000 while those of more than five tonnes and heavy commercial vehicles pay Ksh4,600 for inspections marking more than 300 per cent in some vehicles.
For private cars, the inspection fee depends on the engine capacity and car owners part with between Ksh2,000 and Ksh3,500.
The proposed law further gives the NTSA the power to hire private entities to conduct motor vehicle inspections on its behalf.
“An inspection under subsection…shall be conducted by the authority or persons authorised in writing by the authority,” states the Bill sponsored by Tiaty Member of Parliament William Kamket.
The new set of rules is aimed at taming the ever-rising road carnage experienced in the country.
The plans to change inspection rules gained traction in 2019 with NTSA going hard on car owners which had exceeded specific age from the time of their manufacture.
The agency was to inspect all vehicles regardless of ownership in line with Section 16 (2) of the Traffic Act.
In May 2020, NTSA issued a statement on the increased inspection of old vehicles mainly targeting Public Service Vehicles which accounted for many crashes on the roads.
The report on the inspection has however not been made public pushing lawmakers to table a new proposal giving powers to even private inspectors.
The country at the moment has 17 Motor Vehicle Inspection Units and the changes in the Traffic Act will see the NTSA designate persons or firms to conduct inspections on its behalf.
