REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IMPORTANT PUBLIC NOTICE
REGULATORY COMPLIANCE BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS, MOTOR
VEHICLE OWNERS AND PSV DRIVERS
The National Transport and Safety Authority (Operations of Public Service Vehicles) Regulations, 2014, set out explicit
obligations to be fulfilled by every licensed operator of a Public Service Vehicle (PSV), particularly under paragraph 7 (j, l, m,
n, o and p), which stipulate that an operator shall:
i. Boldly display at the front, rear, and sides of the vehicle the name of the Sacco or Company under which the vehicle
operates, in letters not less than ten inches in height and in a colour visible by day from a distance of not less than two
hundred and seventy-five meters;
ii. Ensure that all innovative decorations are not offensive;
iii. Ensure that no innovative decorations are painted, sprayed, drawn on, or affixed to any window, including the front
and rear windscreens, lights, indicators, or chevrons of the vehicle;
iv. Ensure that none of the passenger, co-driver, or driver windows, nor the front and rear windscreens, lights, indicators, or
chevrons of the vehicle are tinted or otherwise obscured by any painted, sprayed, or drawn-on innovative
decorations;
v. Ensure that innovative decorations do not possess reflective properties; and
vi. Ensure that no additional exterior or interior lighting is affixed to the vehicle other than that which is installed by the
manufacturer
The Authority has observed widespread non-compliance with these regulatory provisions, particularly among commuter Public
Service Vehicles. A notable number of vehicles have been modified through the application of graffiti and other unauthorized
artistic enhancements, resulting in the inability to clearly identify the name of the Sacco or Company under which the vehicle
operates, its designated route, or the mandatory continuous yellow line that distinguishes licensed PSVs.
Such contraventions violate the letter and spirit of the regulations and undermine public confidence in the PSV sector by
creating ambiguity as to the responsible operator. Furthermore, a number of these motor vehicles have failed to conspicuously
display the official NTSA operational sticker, or any other identifying mark issued by the Authority, rendering regulatory
verification and enforcement ineffective.
The name and brand identity of the licensed Public Service Vehicle Operator (PTO); be it a Sacco or Company, must always
remain the most visible and dominant marking on the vehicle. Any franchise, affiliate, or secondary branding must be
subordinate and shall not, in any way, overshadow, obscure, or supplant the identity of the licensed operator under which the
vehicle is registered.
Considering the foregoing, all licensed Public Transport Operators are hereby directed to conduct an immediate and
comprehensive audit of their fleets to ensure the following:
i. The name of the Sacco or Company under which each vehicle is licensed is boldly and clearly displayed on the front,
rear, and both sides of the vehicle in accordance with Regulation 7(j);
ii. The branding must be uniform and consistent across all vehicles operating under a single operator to ensure cohesion
and easy identification;
iii. Any franchise or partner branding is presented in a manner that does not overshadow, conflict with, or dilute the
branding of the licensed operator;
iv. All innovative decorations that are not part of the operator’s approved brand design are strictly prohibited and must
be removed with immediate effect;
v. Drivers and conductors assigned to the vehicles must don the prescribed uniforms and must always be in possession
of valid driving licence vehicle class category(s) and valid public service badges while on duty; and
vi. Any music played in the vehicles during passenger journey must comply with the prescribed volume limits set out in
relevant guidelines.
NON-COMPLIANCE: INSPECTION CERTIFICATES, ROAD SERVICE
LICENCES ( RSL) AND PSV BADGES
The Authority further notes that contrary to the requirements of the PSV Regulations and the Traffic Act, several public service
and commercial vehicles are operating with;
1. Invalid Road Service Licences (RSL)
2. Expired Motor Vehicle Inspection Certificates
3. Drivers operating without valid PSV badges
The Authority has sent notifications (SMS) to motor vehicle owners, drivers, and they are all expected to access the NTSA
Service Portal through serviceportal.ntsa.go.ke to apply for the RSL and PSV badges, to book and thereafter present the
motor vehicles for inspection.
Through this PUBLIC NOTICE, the Authority directs all Public Service Vehicle operators, motor vehicle owners and PSV drivers
to take immediate corrective action; failure to which regulatory measures will be instituted at the individual vehicle owner
and operator level, including but not limited to vehicle impoundment, suspension and revocation of the operator’s licence
including withdrawal of access to the NTSA service portal.
For more information and support, Public Transport Operators, motor vehicle owners and drivers may contact the Authority
through [email protected] or visit the nearest NTSA office.
DIRECTOR GENERAL
TUESDAY, 27TH MAY 2025
