The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has released a new list of approved motor vehicle body builders and directed vehicle owners to only use certified firms when modifying or assembling vehicles.
In a notice issued on April 27, the authority said the move targets bus and matatu operators, as part of efforts to improve road safety following a rise in accidents.
NTSA said approving body builders is part of its legal role under the Traffic Act, which requires strict safety standards in how vehicle bodies are designed and built.
According to the regulator, all approved firms must meet the Kenya Standard KS 372:2019. The standard sets rules on how buses and other public service vehicles should be constructed to ensure they are safe and reliable.
It also touches on the quality of materials employed as well as the sturdiness of the body of the vehicle with the goal of ensuring safety for passengers and others sharing the roads.
The latest list contains more than 50 licensed body builders from all over the country, located in counties like Nairobi, Mombasa, Kiambu, Machakos, Kisumu, Nakuru and Meru.
These include companies such as East Africa Coach Manufacturers Limited, Kenya Coach Industries, Associated Vehicle Assemblers Limited and Kenyan Vehicle Manufacturers Limited among others.
According to NTSA, these must ensure their products meet very high standards in design, materials and manufacture to keep them roadworthy.
“We require that approved body builders always uphold the highest standards in the materials used, design, construction and assembly of the bodies to contribute to road safety and passenger safety,” the authority said.
The regulator also listed two approved conformity assessors Al-Sahel Services Limited and KABM Services Limited both based in Nairobi.
NTSA explained that these assessors inspect completed vehicles, issue certificates of conformity and attach a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) plate to confirm compliance before the vehicles are allowed on the road.
The authority says the directive is meant to ensure that all modified vehicles meet national safety standards and reduce risks on Kenyan roads.
