The High Court has upheld a directive by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), paving the way for a nationwide crackdown on public service vehicles (PSVs) decorated with graffiti, artistic designs, and tinted windows, commonly referred to as nganyas.
In a ruling delivered on April 29, the court dismissed a petition seeking to stop the enforcement of an NTSA notice issued in May last year.
Justice Bahati Mwamuye said that NTSA acted within the law and had the authority to issue the directive, explaining that the decision was meant to improve public safety.
The High Court upheld a directive by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), clearing the way for a nationwide crackdown on public service vehicles (PSVs) decorated with graffiti, artistic designs, and tinted windows, commonly known as nganyas.
The judge also agreed that the directive requiring PSV operators to remove decorative artwork was legal and based on NTSA’s responsibility to regulate and keep public transport safe.
The court further ruled that the directive was constitutional and justified, dealing a setback to operators advocating for the continuation of Nganya culture.
On May 27, 2025, NTSA ordered all PSVs bearing graffiti and other artistic designs to remove them, stating that such modifications were unauthorized.
The authority explained that excessive artwork often makes it difficult for enforcement officers to identify essential details such as the Sacco or company operating the vehicle, its designated route, and the mandatory continuous yellow line used to identify licensed PSVs.
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NTSA Nationwide Crackdown on Graffiti-Tagged Matatus
NTSA had earlier raised concerns over the increasing number of PSVs, particularly matatus, flouting regulations through the application of graffiti and other unauthorized artwork.
In a public notice dated May 27, the authority stated that many vehicles had been modified in ways that obscure critical identifying information.
“A notable number of vehicles have been modified through the application of graffiti and other unauthorized artistic enhancements, resulting in the inability to clearly identify the name of the Sacco or company under which the vehicle operates, its designated route, or the mandatory continuous yellow line that distinguishes licensed PSVs,” NTSA said.
The authority warned that such alterations undermine regulation and make it more difficult to enforce public transport laws.
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NTSA Orders Immediate Vehicle Inspections for Matatu Operators
In addition to the crackdown on graffiti-tagged matatus, NTSA directed all Public Service Vehicle operators to immediately inspect their vehicles and address any defects to ensure compliance with the 2014 PSV Regulations.
The authority warned that operators who fail to meet the requirements risk having their vehicles impounded, while operating licenses could be suspended or canceled.
In its final directive, NTSA instructed all licensed public transport operators to conduct a comprehensive audit of their fleets without delay, stressing that continued non-compliance would trigger enforcement action.
The measures were to apply to both individual vehicle owners and operators and may include vehicle impoundment and the suspension or revocation of licenses.
