The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has published proposed fees for all motorists who own vehicles older than four years since their manufacture date.
In the document open for public participation, the authority notes that as part of the newly effected Traffic (Amendment) Act 2022, motorists will be expected to hold an inspection certificate renewable every two years. The exercise will be held in conjunction with certified private inspection centers that meet the standards of the authority
In the proposed fees, owners of motorcycles and three-wheelers will part with Ksh 500 inspection fees every two years while those who own vehicles below 3000cc will be charged Ksh 2,000 each. For vehicles above 3000cc, the owners will foot Ksh 2,500, trailers under 5 tonnes (Ksh 2,000), and trailers above 5 tonnes (Ksh2,500) while inspection of heavy commercial vehicles less than 5 tons will cost Ksh 3,000.
Inspection of heavy commercial vehicles above 5 tons will cost Ksh 3,500 while an inspection report for accident vehicles will go for Ksh 1,500.
“All private vehicles which are more than four years old from the recorded date of manufacture shall undergo a motor vehicle inspection test after every two years.
“Provided that all private vehicles imported to the country shall be exempt from the requirement of inspection for two years from the date of registration in Kenya provided that they have been inspected prior to importation by the Kenya Bureau of Standards or their agents,” read the regulations in part.
The regulations also dictate that all vehicles involved in an accident may be subjected to a motor vehicle inspection test while salvage vehicles shall undergo a salvage motor vehicle inspection after the necessary repairs and upgrades have been carried out, which will be followed by an annual periodic inspection thereafter.
All vehicles which undergo any changes in the length, height, width, maximum payload, vehicle color, engine swap, and other major structural or mechanical changes shall also be subject to a modification inspection.
The regulations also propose that in case a vehicle fails the inspection test, its owner will be required to carry out all necessary repairs before returning for re-inspection within 14 days.
Individuals carrying out the inspection tests will also be vetted by the authority and must possess at least a diploma in motor vehicle engineering, mechanical, automotive engineering or its equivalent from a recognized institution. They must also have three years of experience in the motor industry.
Fees for the application and renewal for licenses have been pegged at Ksh3,050, annual inspector licenses will be charged at Ksh 3,000 while the annual inspection center license fee will cost Ksh 200,000.
The inspectors will carry out tests to ascertain performance and installation requirements, specifications for system and component requirements as well as vehicle body inspection among others.
“A person who contravenes any provisions of these Regulations commits an offense and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding Kenya shillings 20,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 6 months or both,” the regulations cautioned.
The public is expected to give their views and comments on the draft regulations before it is subjected to various legal processes and adopted in line with the requirements of public participation as provided for in the constitution.