President Ruto directs Transport Ministry to fast-track private partnerships for vehicle inspection

President William Ruto has directed the Ministry of Transport to accelerate the implementation of a Public-Private Partnership framework for nationwide motor vehicle inspection. Speaking during a high-level road safety meeting on March 2, 2026, the President emphasized that involving the private sector is the most efficient way to modernize the system while generating state revenue.

The directive seeks to shift the burden of infrastructure development from the taxpayer to private investors. President Ruto questioned the logic of the government spending Sh12 billion to establish inspection centers when private entities are prepared to invest their own capital. He noted that the private sector can deliver these facilities at no cost to the State, provided they are properly licensed and regulated.

Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir confirmed that the necessary legal groundwork is already in place. New regulations governing the inspection of all motor vehicles have been gazetted, allowing the National Transport and Safety Authority to begin the licensing process for private operators. The government expects the full rollout of this decentralized model to commence by July 1, 2026.

Under this new arrangement, private actors will establish and manage inspection facilities in various counties. This move is intended to reduce the distance motorists currently travel to access government-run centers. By increasing the number of available testing sites, the Ministry aims to ensure more consistent compliance with roadworthiness standards across the country.

The President linked the modernization of vehicle inspections to broader digital reforms, including the installation of road surveillance cameras and the introduction of instant traffic fines. He stated that the combination of proper mechanical inspections and automated enforcement could potentially reduce road fatalities by up to 70 per cent.

The automated system will integrate with a digital fines framework, where penalties for traffic violations are sent directly to an offender's mobile phone. This integration is designed to limit direct contact between motorists and enforcement officers, reducing opportunities for bribery and improving the overall integrity of traffic management.

Current data from a pilot inter-agency traffic justice model conducted during the recent festive season showed a 10 per cent decline in public service vehicle fatalities. The President noted that these gains justify a faster transition to tech-led and private-sector-supported enforcement measures.

The Sh42 billion PPP project, which also involves the production of smart driving licenses, will run for 21 years. It includes a consortium led by KCB Bank Kenya and Pesa Print Limited. The expansion of inspection services is seen as a critical component of this 21-year strategic plan to enhance road safety through private investment and digital tracking.