- Vehicles older than 4 years to face mandatory inspections
- School buses to have new safety rules like seat belts and fire extinguishers
- Drink-driving rules now come with clear limits and penalties
- Commercial and PSV drivers to follow strict work-hour tracking
- Non-compliance could lead to fines, suspension, or impoundment
Transport CS Davis Chirchir has rolled out a draft set of rules aimed at fixing Kenya’s chaotic road safety record. Under the Traffic (Motor Vehicle Inspection) Rules, 2025, all vehicles older than four years—whether private, commercial, PSVs, or school vans—will need to go through mandatory checks.
These tests will be carried out in licensed government or private centres, and the focus will be on mechanical fitness and roadworthiness. Vehicles will also be inspected before registration, after accidents, when ownership changes, or after major modifications.
Once a car passes the inspection, it will receive a compliance sticker that drivers must display. Expect random roadside checks, too, where officers can scan or review the sticker on the spot.
To seal corruption gaps, the government will monitor inspection centres and technicians, with penalties lined up for false reports or poor oversight. Non-compliant vehicles risk being grounded, fined, or having their licences revoked.
In the Traffic (School Transport) Rules, 2025, the focus shifts to the safety of schoolchildren. All school buses must now have: Seat belts, Fire extinguishers GPS tracking (telematics) for monitoring movement
Drivers will need to meet strict qualifications, and school vans can only operate during certain hours. Unauthorised use of school buses will be outlawed. Clear signage, colour coding, and safety markings will also be mandatory.
Drunk Driving to Attract Heavier Penalties
The Traffic (Drink Driving) Rules, 2025, introduce firm alcohol limits and define how officers can test drivers via breath, blood, or urine. If a driver refuses, they could lose their licence.
Repeat offenders will be hit harder, and courtrooms can now accept results from certified breathalysers and other tools. This is part of a wider move to reduce drink-related crashes.
The state is also preparing the National Transport and Safety (Operation of Commercial Vehicles) Regulations, 2025, which targets PSVs and commercial fleets. These new rules will: Log working hours to fight driver fatigue, Track cargo movement in real-time Tighten trip scheduling to reduce accidents
The idea is to stop overworked drivers and reckless scheduling, both common causes of fatal crashes.
While these rules haven’t been officially gazetted yet, the public and stakeholders will soon be invited to share their feedback. The proposals are part of the government’s urgent push to lower the rising number of accidents and align Kenya’s transport standards with global best practices.
As things stand, 2025 could be the year major change hits our roads.
