The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has issued a directive mandating all licensed public service vehicle (PSV) operators to conduct immediate inspections of their vehicles to ensure compliance with transport regulations.
Failure to comply will result in penalties, including license suspension, vehicle impoundment, or revocation.
In a public notice released on Tuesday, NTSA highlighted widespread violations among commuter PSVs, particularly the use of graffiti and unauthorized decorations. These modifications often obscure critical vehicle identifiers, such as the operating sacco or company name, route information, and the mandatory yellow line indicating proper licensing.
“Vehicles must remain clearly identifiable at all times. This is a legal requirement,” the NTSA stated.
The authority also noted that some PSVs are operating without the official stickers and identification markings provided by NTSA, which hinders enforcement efforts.
“Such violations erode public confidence and create uncertainty over which operators are legally allowed to operate,” the notice continued.
NTSA is directing all PSV operators to undertake comprehensive audits of their fleets and promptly address any non-compliance issues. The agency emphasized that enforcement action will target individual operators as well as collective groups where necessary.
A more detailed version of the directive is available on the NTSA website. Operators are encouraged to contact NTSA directly or visit the nearest office for further guidance.
Earlier in January, NTSA officers, in collaboration with police in Nairobi and Kiambu counties, impounded several non-compliant matatus and detained their operators during an enforcement operation. The crackdown focused on PSVs—especially “nganyas”—known for flouting road safety rules.
The targeted vehicles featured excessive graffiti, intense fog lights, and dangerously tinted driver-side windows. The operation was prompted by public complaints and social media videos showing PSVs engaging in reckless driving, including dangerous overtaking.
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