Jubilee Deputy party leader and former Cabinet Secretary (CS) Fred Matiang’i has faulted the government over the planned mandatory annual vehicle inspection charges set to take effect on July 1, 2026, accusing the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) of introducing yet another revenue collection policy without proper accountability or public justification.

Speaking through his X account on Sunday, June 28, 2026, Matiang’i termed the new directive requiring private vehicles older than four years to undergo annual inspections at a cost of Ksh2,000, alongside compulsory charges for motorcycles, as insensitive and unfair to millions of struggling Kenyans.

The former Interior Cabinet Secretary argued that while road safety is important, government policies must be transparent, evidence-based and accountable to the public before new financial burdens are imposed.

Questions over transparency and public accountability

Matiang’i questioned why the government had failed to provide clear data justifying the new inspection regime despite introducing costs that will affect millions of motorists nationwide.

He challenged authorities to explain how much revenue the state expects to collect annually, how many vehicles will be affected and whether there is sufficient evidence proving that annual inspections for older vehicles will significantly reduce road accidents.

“Before imposing mandatory costs on citizens, government must publish the data, policy analysis, cost-benefit assessment and implementation plan that justify such a far-reaching decision,” Matiang’i said.

Questions over new NTSA charges

Matiang’i questioned the timing of the directive, noting that Kenyans are already burdened by high fuel prices, multiple taxes and levies, expensive spare parts, rising insurance premiums, parking fees and an increasing cost of living.

He said adding another compulsory annual charge without clearly demonstrating its necessity only worsens pressure on ordinary citizens.

“We therefore call upon the government to immediately suspend the implementation of this directive and subject it to comprehensive public review,” Matiang’i stated.

The Jubilee Party deputy leader further demanded answers on how many vehicles will be affected, how much revenue the government expects to collect annually and what evidence exists proving that annual inspections for vehicles older than four years will significantly reduce road accidents.

Parliament urged to scrutinise NTSA plan

The Jubilee Party deputy leader further wants Parliament to intervene and subject the policy to immediate scrutiny before implementation begins next week.

He also questioned whether NTSA has enough inspection capacity to serve millions of motorists efficiently without opening fresh loopholes for corruption, harassment and rent-seeking.

According to Matiang’i, road safety should never be used as an excuse for excessive financial extraction from citizens.

“Good governance requires accountability. Citizens should never be treated merely as sources of revenue while the government fails to explain where the money goes,” he stated.