The new generation of digital number plates is part of reforms introduced by the government after a terror attack.
Interior CS Fred Matiang’i said President Uhuru Kenyatta initiated the security reforms following the Dusit attack in 2019.
The CS spoke on Tuesday during the launch of the new digital plates at the GSU Recce unit Headquarters in Ruiru.
The new plates are inbuilt with security features that allow the tracing of car ownership by law enforcement agencies.
CS Matiang’i said they were produced in compliance with the amended Traffic Act of 2016.
Matiang’i said the plates will give security agencies an easier time tracing automobiles used in criminal activities.
“The work is being done by a multi-agency unit of the security sector and is part of the reforms initiated by President Uhuru Kenyatta after the 2019 Dusit attack.
“The capability allows us to change the country’s 4.8 million vehicles to the new generation plates but that has been extended to a period of 18 months. When the NTSA team calls on Kenyans to change the plates, let us obey and get it done within those 18 months,” the CS said.
Transport CS James Macharia also spoke during the launch and said the plates will cover 12 categories of vehicles in line with the legal notice 62 of 2016 and allow ease of monitoring vehicles coming into the country that ranks as a major transit hub in the region.
“They form a basis for tracking and monitoring vehicles in the country which have risen significantly from 3.2M million last year to 4.8 million this year,” ICT CS Mucheru said.
In addition to a security microchip, the new plates have aesthetically pleasing fonts and designs.
They also have the Kenyan flag, NTSA serial number, and a QR code.
The new plates will also be put on all imported vehicles at their point of entry. This will ensure direct synchronization with KRA systems and help the tax agency nab tax evaders, including car dealerships.
“We are doing this because we want to address the security of our country. We want to help other agencies such as KRA to function properly, uplift the financial sector and improve transparency,” Matiang’i insisted.
He directed Kenyans to acquire the new plates from NTSA, which will release guidelines in the coming days.
The new plates however come at a fee of Ksh3000.
