NTSA gives public 14 days to comment on new vehicle number plates

The announcement was made on NTSA’s official website, as a public notice, attributed to the Director General, and calls for Kenyans to give their two cents on the proposed move. The notice goes on to give details on the contact information where one can send the comments.

“The National Transport and Safety Authority is in the process of replacing the current identification number plates with new generation ones with enhanced security and visual features. The Authority has formulated a draft of the traffic (identification plates) rules 2015 which is available on our website,” the notice states. “In view of the above, the Authority informs and invites the public to share their input on these rules in the next 14 days via email: info@ntsa.go.ke or post written comments to: Director General, National Transport and Safety Authority,  Hill  Park Building,  Upper  Hill,  P.O. Box3602-00506,Nairobi.”

The new generation number plates were announced by Transport and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary, Eng Michael Kamau last year.

Eng Kamau said that the new number plate will have enhanced security features, enabled by latest laser technology to make it impossible to forge or tamper with vehicle and ownership identity.

“A micro-chip capturing crucial details from ownership, engine and chassis numbers including logbook details, will be embedded in the new number plate and this will enable motor vehicle agencies to easily share data about a vehicle for whatever service demanded of them,” the CS said.

The CS said this during a familiarization tour of Kamiti Maximum Prison’s motor vehicle number plate workshops. The CS was accompanied by the Commissioner- General of Kenya Prisons Service, Isaiah Ogugo, and Permanent Secretary for Transport, Mr. Nduva Muli and Chairman, National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), Hon. Lee Kinyanjui.

Eng. Kamau noted that the introduction of the new- look number plate is part of the modernization and reforms in the transport sub-sector. The CS explained that the Government will automate transport services through a Transport Integrated Management System (TIMS) to improve information sharing and service delivery.

Eng. Kamau allayed fears that introducing the new-look number plate will inconvenience vehicle owners, saying that the Ministry, NTSA, KRA and Kenya Prisons Service are consulting to determine and set realistic window for transition from the old number plate to the new one.

The CS also announced that a new electronic Driving License will be introduced once the TIMS project is actualized. Eng. Kamu said that the new technology coupled with automation will among other benefits strengthen the traffic police and NTSA inspection and enforcement exercises and ultimately improve road safety.