The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has announced a temporary two-year ban on the licensing of new public service transport operators.
This forms a part of sweeping measures aimed at restoring order and safety in the sector.
In a public notice issued on Friday, June 20, 2026, the authority said the freeze will apply to the licensing of new Saccos and companies operating public service vehicles (PSVs) across the country.
Additionally, NTSA announced a one-year suspension on the addition of new routes and the extension of existing ones, unless a new road is officially commissioned within that period.
According to the regulator, no new applications for PSV operator licences will be accepted or processed during the moratorium period.
The new development also affects potential drivers and PSV fare conductors (commonly known as makangas) who may have been seeking entry into the sector through new operators.
The authority has further halted for one year any modification or reconfiguration of existing licensed routes, including changes to pick-up and drop-off points.
NTSA said the decision has been prompted by persistent non-compliance within the public transport sector, alongside growing road safety concerns.
“The authority hereby issues a temporary moratorium on the licensing of new public transport operators (Saccos and Companies) for a period of 24 months,” read part of the notice.
“The authority also imposes a 12-month moratorium on the addition of new routes and the extension of existing routes, subject to review where a new road is commissioned”, the notice added.
During this period, NTSA said it will also conduct a comprehensive audit of road safety compliance and traffic operations across the country.
The directive, which takes effect from Friday, June 19, also applies to all individuals and entities that had already expressed interest in being licensed by the authority.
