New Costs and Fines for Motorists in Proposed Traffic Rules 

Hello and welcome to the Money News Roundup Newsletter. Today, we are covering the 4 proposed traffic regulations that seek to introduce new rules and fines for motorists. We also cover the latest warning issued to businesses that play music at their establishments.

Situational Awareness: MPs approved the Finance Bill 2025 following various amendments proposed by the Finance Committee and other MPs. The bill now awaits assent by President William Ruto.

Transport CS Chirchir Proposes 4 New Traffic Rules

Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir has published new regulations targeting various motorists.

As reported in the Business Daily, the CS proposed 4 draft regulations, including the Traffic (Drink-Driving) Rules 2025, the Traffic (Motor Vehicle Inspection) Rules 2025, the Operation of Commercial Service Vehicles Rules 2025, and the Traffic (School Transport) Rules 2025.

‍Traffic (Drink-Driving) Rules 2025

• The proposed regulation seeks to return alcohol testing using approved breathalysers (alcoblow), blood, and urine samples. 
• The proposed drink-driving rules also prohibit drivers from operating vehicles while intoxicated beyond the limits that will be prescribed. 
• Earlier, the CS noted that the new rules would have penalties of up to Ksh100,000, with drunk motorists even facing suspension of their Driving License (DL).

Traffic (Motor Vehicle Inspection) Rules 2025: 

• The regulation seeks to introduce mandatory inspection for motor vehicles over 4 years old and all commercial, school, and PSVs. This will see motorists incur additional costs for the tests.
• The inspections will be conducted at government-approved testing centres to ensure compliance with safety and mechanical standards.

Traffic (School Transport) Rules 2025

• The new rules will set safety standards for school transport vehicles, including seat belts, fire extinguishers, and telematics systems.
• The rules will also define qualification standards for school drivers and attendantsation of Commercial Service Vehicles Rules 2025

• The new regulation seeks to introduce driver work-hour limits, electronic logging, and cargo tracking systems to reduce fatigue-related accidents. 

Also Read: Dealing With a Traffic Offence in Kenya: Important Rights to Know as a Driver

‍Businesses Warned of Fines Up to Ksh800,000 Over Music 

The Performing and Audio Visual Rights Society of Kenya (PAVRISK) has warned businesses using copyrighted music without a permit that they may be fined up to Ksh800,000 in penalties.

As detailed in the report by Kenyans.co.ke, the targeted businesses include salons, malls, private clubs, cybercafés, music schools, clinics, motels, hospitals, events, bars, banks, hotels, kinyozi, shops, and cinema halls.

DJs and those involved in road shows were also cautioned against playing copyrighted music without permission. Therefore, those businesses were urged to obtain a Unified Copyright License (UCL).

"Playing music, showing films, or using audiovisual content in your business without a copyright license is an offence under the Copyright Act, 2001 in Kenya," PAVRISK warned.

"Whether you have a salon, hotel, event space, matatu, bar, or even a clinic, you need a copyright licence to use music or audiovisual content legally." 

State House Gets Extra Ksh3.7 Billion in New Supplementary Budget

According to the Business Daily State House has been allocated an additional Ksh3.7 billion in the latest supplementary budget that was tabled in Parliament on Wednesday, June 20.

It is reported that the extra funding will go towards domestic travel.

The spending on local travel and other transportation costs for State House is expected to increase to Ksh2.1 billion, up from Ksh933.1 million.

Expenditure for operations was also increased from Ksh1.36 to Ksh3.1 billion.

‍Why Youth and Elderly Kenyans Are Facing Financial Exclusion - Report

‍People Daily is reporting that youths and the elderly (55+) face the highest financial exclusion in Kenya.

The report, which is based on the latest FinAccess Survey by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), attributed the financial exclusion of the youth to unstable incomes, limited financial literacy, and high credit costs.

On the other hand, the elderly were missing out on financial products because of digital illiteracy and limited access to financial providers.

“The youth remain digitally disoriented, likely due to the lack of stable income, limited financial literacy, and the high cost of accessing credit. Older adults also face exclusion, often due to digital illiteracy or lack of access to financial service providers,” CBK added in its report.

Govt Explains 'Missing' Ksh8 Billion Hustler Fund

Principal Secretary for the State Department for Micro, Medium, and Small Enterprises, Susan Mang'eni has denied reports of missing Ksh8 billion from the Hustler Fund as flagged by the Auditor General.

The PS explained that the Ksh8 billion had not been disbursed by the National Treasury at the time of the audit. As reported in the Standard, the PS explained that the Ksh8 billion was to be disbursed to the fund for the pension savings scheme.

However, at the time the audit was being done - June 2023,  the pension saving scheme had not been developed; therefore, the state department opted not to ask for the money to be disbursed.

"By 30th June 2023, the period under audit review, the Fund was 7 months old, and the matching savings product was still being developed. It would have been imprudent for the Fund to draw down the money only to idle in the commercial banks. We finally finalised the development of the savings product, and we undertook the first matching up during the 1st Anniversary of the Fund on 30th November 2023," read the statement in part.