Wamalwa confirms United Opposition will challenge new NTSA regulations in court
By Ndiritu Wanjiru, June 29, 2026Democratic Action Party-Kenya (DAP-K) leader and former Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa has confirmed that the opposition will move to court to challenge the government’s newly introduced National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) regulations, arguing that they are impractical, unconstitutional, and will impose an additional financial burden on struggling Kenyans.
Speaking in an interview with a local TV station on Monday, June 29, 2026, Wamalwa said the regulations, which require mandatory annual inspection for certain motor vehicles, come at a time when many households are already grappling with the rising cost of living, including increased fuel prices, rent, electricity, and water bills.
The former CS has accused the government of piling more costs on citizens who are already weighed down by existing deductions and taxes.
“Kenyans can hardly put food on the table. Everything is going up from fuel to rent, electricity, and water, as we’re speaking. Then, on top of all this, you’ve taken away money for housing, for SHA. Then today you’re saying everyone with a vehicle must take it for inspection,” Wamalwa said.
“Most of the vehicles we are driving are eight years old because our law allows the importation of eight-year-old vehicles. It means almost everyone who owns a vehicle will have to comply, yet many people can hardly afford to fill their fuel tanks,” he added.
The former Defence Cabinet Secretary questioned the practicality of implementing the regulations within the proposed timelines, saying the country’s inspection infrastructure lacks the capacity to handle the expected demand.
Wamalwa warns of opportunity for corruption
He warned that the rushed implementation could create opportunities for corruption, with motorists being subjected to extortion by inspectors and law enforcement officers.
“First of all, it’s not practical. They don’t have the capacity. What is going to happen is that we are going to open up Kenyans to very serious extortion. Everyone will have to rush for inspection; inspectors will be looking for any fault in your vehicle unless you give them something, and on every road, the police will stop you asking for inspection certificates,” he added.
Wamalwa noted that although the government appeared to be softening its position by indicating it would provide fresh timelines and implementation details, the opposition had already instructed lawyer Ndegwa Njiru to file a court case challenging the regulations.
He maintained that the legal challenge seeks to protect Kenyans from what he termed an unnecessary and punitive policy introduced without adequate public preparedness or implementation capacity.
The opposition has argued that the mandatory inspections will further strain motorists already battling high operating costs and could expose them to harassment and corruption during enforcement.
NTSA clarifies vehicle inspection rules
The sentiments from the former CS have come hours after a move by the NTSA to calm growing public concern over the planned motor vehicle inspection rules, after confusion and criticism spread across the country.
In a public notice issued on Sunday, June 28, 2026, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) clarified that some sections of the new regulations will not be enforced immediately. The authority also warned Kenyans against relying on false information circulating online about the inspection programme.
The statement comes days after strong reactions from motorists, transport operators and political leaders over the government’s planned annual inspection exercise for private and commercial vehicles.
According to the notice signed by NTSA Director General Nashon Kondiwa, school transport operators will not face penalties for failing to install reflectorised red stop mechanical signal arms and telematics systems under the Traffic (School Transport) Rules, 2026.