NTSA's New Mandatory Inspection, Ruto's Advisers' Funding Slashed

Hello Moneymakers, Kubasu here. In this newsletter, we are covering the upcoming mandatory inspection by NTSA, police officers shutting down Gideon Moi's firm, and the slashing of funding for Ruto's advisers.

NTSA Mandatory Tests

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has set its eyes on trucks, accusing them of causing a spike in road accidents.

To end the carnage, the authority is introducing mandatory inspection of heavy commercial vehicles across the country. NTSA board chair Khatib Mwashetani told an awareness campaign delegation in Diani that trucks, especially those weighing over 5 tonnes, contribute the most to road accidents.

What Mwashetani is saying: "Heavy commercial vehicles are not compelled to be inspected, but now we are putting in a regulation to ensure each and every commercial vehicle, before it finds its way on the road, has to be inspected because they are one of the biggest causes of incidents."

Why it matters: Road carnage has been an eyesore in Kenya for years, with pedestrians and motorcyclists losing the most lives. However, a huge number of crashes involve public service vehicles and trucks. Data from the Ministry of Transport also shows that road carnage costs Kenya's economy Ksh450 billion yearly, Ksh46 billion of which is in health costs.

NTSA data: Data shows that 4,748 people died in road accidents in 2024, an increase from 4,324 in 2023, while 10,166 people sustained injuries from 11,502 crashes. Commercial and private vehicles accounted for 46.7% of the deaths.

Catch up quick: Earlier this year, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) announced that it will roll out annual emission testing of commercial vehicles, and once every two years for private vehicles, at a fee.

Testing fees for motorcycles will be Ksh1,000, while vehicles less than 3.5 tonnes in tare weight (when the vehicle is empty) will cost Ksh5,000 for a single test.

Vehicles exceeding 3.5 tonnes but less than 7 tonnes in tare weight (like small trucks) will be charged Ksh10,000 per test, while those exceeding 7 tonnes in tare weight will be charged Ksh20,000 per test. (Read more for penalties to be incurred by motorists.)

Shocker for Ruto’s advisers

The government has significantly reduced the cost of supporting President William Ruto’s team of advisers, cutting the budget to just under half a billion shillings. The move follows last year’s Gen Z-led protests, which pressured the State to scale back various expenditures in response to public outrage.

According to Business Daily, the budget estimates tabled in Parliament show that the six advisory offices will receive Sh478.7 million for the financial year starting in July, down from Sh567.5 million in the current fiscal year.

Police officers Shut Dow Gideon Moi’s Company

Kenya Railways officials, in the company of police officers, raided and shut down Kencont Container Freight Station in Mombasa, a company linked to former presidential aspirant Gideon Moi.

The company claimed that the officers gained forceful entry into the premises and guarded the facility, claiming that it obtained the land illegally, as reported by Daily Nation.

KWS Introduces Express Lanes for Prepaid Visitors at Nairobi National Park

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has introduced two express lanes at Nairobi National Park to ease entry delays, particularly for visitors who purchase tickets in advance through the e-Citizen platform, Kenyans.co.ke reported.

 The move comes after widespread complaints on May 17 about long queues caused by system glitches that affected even prepaid ticket holders. KWS emphasized the benefits of pre-booking, noting that 60% of the park's visitors now use the prepaid system. The initiative aims to enhance visitor convenience and reduce wait times at one of Kenya's busiest parks.

EU Rules Hit Kenya’s Vegetable and Flower Exports

The Standard reports that Kenya’s fresh vegetable exports fell by 54.7% in 2024, dropping from Ksh50.9 billion to Ksh23.4 billion, largely due to the European Union’s stricter pesticide residue limits. Export volumes declined sharply after EU markets flagged Kenyan beans and peas for exceeding Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs).

At the same time, cut flower earnings dipped slightly to Ksh72.1 billion, linked to EU restrictions over the False Codling Moth, a destructive pest. In contrast, fruit exports saw a 26.5% rise, earning Ksh41 billion, helped by increased overseas demand.

Nairobi’s Upscale Rentals Hit by NGO Exodus After US Aid Freeze

High-income earners working with NGOs are exiting rental properties in Nairobi’s upscale neighborhoods, causing concern among landlords and real estate developers in the high-end market, Business Daily reports.

The decline follows a decision by former US President Donald Trump to freeze aid through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), which has impacted business in residential areas favored by expatriates, highlighting how foreign aid flows affect local economies.