News and Analysis
June 25, 2026
Welcome to the Money News Roundup. Today, we break down the new NTSA vehicle inspection rules taking effect on July 1. We also explain why teachers saw higher PAYE deductions in their June payslips, following TSC's clarification.
All vehicles, including private cars, will be subject to mandatory annual inspections from July 1, 2026, under new rules introduced by the NTSA. Motorists will pay Ksh2,000 for the inspections.
The regulations, published in February 2026, take effect next month and require every vehicle more than four years old from its date of manufacture to undergo an annual inspection.
The requirement will apply to private, public, government and commercial vehicles, with only a few categories such as tractors, golf carts and all-terrain vehicles exempted.
As reported by Kenyans.co.ke, owners of vehicles below 3,000cc and above 3,000cc will pay a Ksh1,000 booking fee to NTSA and up to Ksh1,000 for inspection, while motorcycles and three-wheelers will pay a total of Ksh500.
Vehicles that pass will receive an inspection sticker, while those that fail must be repaired before undergoing another inspection.
Motorists found driving without a valid inspection sticker risk a fine of up to Ksh20,000, six months in jail, or both.
Digital lender Tala has announced plans to lay off part of its workforce in Kenya as it restructures its operations and centralises some functions globally.
As reported by the Business Daily, the US-based fintech said the changes will affect fewer than 10 per cent of its employees in Kenya, describing the move as part of a broader strategy to streamline operations and align the business with its long-term growth plans.
Tala noted that affected employees will receive support during the transition, but did not disclose the exact number of jobs to be cut.
Despite the layoffs, the lender assured customers that its operations in Kenya will continue uninterrupted.
TSC has attributed higher PAYE deductions in June 2026 payslips to the correction of a payroll system error rather than the introduction of a new tax.
As reported by the Star, the commission said an anomaly occurred while updating its payroll system to implement tax exemptions for Affordable Housing Levy and Social Health Insurance Fund contributions.
The update inadvertently applied duplicate tax relief on NSSF contributions, resulting in incorrect PAYE calculations.
After detecting the error during routine payroll reviews, TSC corrected the anomaly in the June payroll and said the adjustments ensure future tax deductions comply with the law.
Equity Group shareholders have approved a Ksh21.70 billion dividend for the year ended December 31, 2025, alongside plans to expand the lender's insurance business into Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
As reported by the Kenyan Wall Street, shareholders endorsed a final dividend of Ksh5.75 per share, up 35.5% from Ksh4.25 paid last year.
They also approved the establishment of three insurance subsidiaries, including a microinsurance firm in Kenya and life and general insurance businesses in the DRC, subject to regulatory approvals.
Kenyan consumers are increasingly switching brands as they seek cheaper products and better value amid continued pressure on household budgets, a new Worldpanel by Numerator report shows.
As reported by Capital Business, the study found shoppers are buying from more brands than before, making customer loyalty harder to maintain. Instead, affordability, availability and value for money are driving purchasing decisions.
The report says fast-moving consumer goods growth is increasingly being fuelled by brands attracting new customers rather than repeat buyers.
Households are also making more shopping trips while buying fewer items as they carefully manage spending.
WhatsApp is rolling out a new security feature that alerts users before they open chats from phone numbers not saved in their contacts.
As reported by Eastleigh Voice, the warning screen, available on Android and iOS, provides useful details such as the sender's country code and any mutual groups to help users determine whether the contact is legitimate. Users can also block or report suspicious numbers before engaging.
The update is part of WhatsApp's broader efforts to combat scams, impersonation, phishing and fake investment schemes. The feature is being released gradually and will become available through the latest app updates.
.png){kind=small}
Join 1.5M Kenyans using Money254 to find better loans, savings accounts, and money tips today.
Money 254 is a new platform focused on helping you make more out of the money you have. We've created a simple, fast and secure way to find and compare financial products that best match your needs. All of the information shown is from products available at established financial institutions that our team of experts has tirelessly collected.
.jpg)
.png)
