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Commercial and passenger vehicles in Kenya

Matatu, PSV and ride-hailing insurance in Kenya

Reviewed on by the Tulinde editorial team · how we check facts

Short answerChecked 23 September 2026
A matatu, bus or taxi cannot get an NTSA licence without current third-party insurance from an insurer meeting NTSA's conditions (PSV Regulations, reg. 6(p)), and passengers must be covered (Cap. 405, s.5). Ride-hailing platforms must make sure every car has valid insurance, and a car may be no more than 16 years old (TNC Regulations 2022, regs 11 and 19).

Matatus, buses and taxis

From the NTSA (Operation of Public Service Vehicles) Regulations, 2014:

  • No public service vehicle may operate without an NTSA licence (reg. 4).
  • The licence application must include current third-party insurance with an insurer meeting NTSA's minimum conditions (reg. 6(p)).
  • The insurer must be licensed by IRA for that class, report its PSV claims and payouts to NTSA each year, and file its customer service charter and claims payment policy (reg. 13).
  • Operators must also comply with the Work Injury Benefits Act for their crews (reg. 5).

Ride-hailing (Uber, Bolt and others)

The Transport Network Companies Regulations, 2022 require the platform to ensure all vehicles have valid insurance covers (reg. 11(d)). Before use, each vehicle needs valid insurance, a roadworthiness certificate, and must be no more than 16 years from manufacture (reg. 19(1)). Passengers carried for hire must be covered by the third-party policy (Cap. 405, s.5(b)(ii)).

What operators should compare

  • Passenger limits per seat and per event.
  • Third-party property damage cover (not required by Cap. 405).
  • Own damage, theft, and loss-of-use cover.
  • WIBA cover for drivers and conductors — see business insurance.
  • The insurer's claims payment policy filed with NTSA.

What would you like to do now?

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Frequently asked questions

What insurance does a matatu need in Kenya?

Current third-party insurance covering passengers, from an IRA-licensed insurer meeting NTSA's conditions — without it, NTSA will not license the vehicle (PSV Regulations 2014, reg. 6(p)).

What insurance does an Uber or Bolt car need in Kenya?

Valid insurance cover; the platform must ensure it, and the car must be no more than 16 years old (TNC Regulations 2022, regs 11(d) and 19(1)).

Sources

  1. NTSA (Operation of Public Service Vehicles) Regulations, 2014 (LN 23/2014) — Kenya Law (archived copy)
  2. NTSA (Transport Network Companies, Owners, Drivers and Passengers) Regulations, 2022 (LN 120/2022) — Kenya Law (archived copy)
  3. Insurance (Motor Vehicles Third Party Risks) Act, Cap. 405 — Kenya Law (archived copy)
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