NTSA temporarily lifts suspension on 263 public service vehicles pending compliance

National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) 

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has temporarily lifted the suspension on 263 public service vehicles belonging to a transport operator, the Authority confirmed on Friday.

The move follows a ruling by the Transport Licensing Appeals Board (TLAB).

According to NTSA, the operator now has until Monday, January 26,  2026, to submit a compliance matrix to the TLAB. The board will issue further directions once the submission is reviewed.

However, NTSA warned that 128 other vehicles previously flagged by the Authority remain prohibited from operating as public service vehicles. The list of these vehicles is available on the NTSA website.

The Authority also noted that the operator has yet to meet major safety conditions originally imposed during the suspension period.

“Traffic enforcement officers are required to impound non-compliant vehicles operating under the Sacco,” the statement said.

The NTSA service portal has been reopened to allow the operator to meet certain compliance requirements.

This development comes against a backdrop of increased scrutiny on public transport safety in Kenya.

The Authority had earlier, on January 19, suspended the operating licences of four public transport operators following a spate of fatal road crashes during the December 2025 festive season.

In a statement at the time, NTSA said the suspensions followed investigations that revealed widespread non-compliance with safety regulations. These included breaches related to speed control and driver conduct.

The Authority had also placed two additional operators on notice, giving them 21 days to meet strict safety conditions or risk having their licences suspended.

“The Authority shall conduct safety compliance audits on the operators before their licenses are reinstated,” NTSA stated.

Among the key issues highlighted were failures to adhere to the requirements of KS 2295-2023-a, a standard set by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) that outlines specifications for Maximum Road Speed Limiters for motor vehicles. Non-compliance with other NTSA regulations governing public service vehicles also contributed to the suspensions.

“To this end, members of the public are hereby advised not to board vehicles belonging to the suspended operators, as this measure is part of our unwavering commitment to ensuring the highest standards of passenger safety and road safety compliance,” the Authority emphasized.

Transport safety experts say the temporary lifting of the suspension provides the operator a window to demonstrate compliance, but stressed that vigilance will remain critical.

“The measures put in place are meant to protect passengers and ensure that operators uphold safety standards at all times,” an official familiar with the process said.

NTSA’s action underlines the continued focus on safety enforcement in Kenya’s public transport sector. Passengers are urged to remain cautious and verify the compliance status of vehicles before boarding.

The TLAB ruling and subsequent compliance requirements mark a critical step in NTSA’s ongoing efforts to strengthen oversight of public service vehicles and reduce road accidents nationwide.