NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug, 30 – Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i unveiled the new generation of digital number plates set to revolutionize the transport sector and improve security.
The number plates are expected to ease the operation of security officers who will have access to driver’s details at short notice in the event their vehicle is involved in incidents of crime.
Matiang’i said that number plates are in compliance with the amended Traffic Act of 2016.
The smart plates, which will be easily identifiable to law enforcement officers, will also store information such as year of manufacturer, type and colour of vehicle, engine number, transmission type, date and place of manufacture, and insurance details.
In a bid to combat cases of tax evasion, vehicles that are imported to the country will be assigned number plates at the point of entry and their details synchronized with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
The chain of registration will require building a database of all the vehicles registered right at the point of entry and linking the databases of the NTSA and the National Police Service to make it difficult to trade in motor vehicles that are stolen from other countries.
The new plates will cost Ksh.3000 with the government as the sole manufacturer in what CS Matiang’i said was a measure to control quality and lock out cartels.
Police are expected to target those engaging in the sale of vehicles only to later escape paying taxes.
Dr. Matiang’i noted the new number plates will be especially useful in combating terrorism and organized crime.
“When we were hit during Dusit 2, it was because terrorists gained vehicles and acquired number plates in a fraudulent manner, and it was very difficult to trace them within the time they were around..”
“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,” said ICT CS Joe Mucheru.
The plates are being produced at the GSU Recce unit Headquarters in Ruiru.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i said the new plates that will be launched with the KDK… series for newly-registered vehicles and on October 1st, 2022 to replace existing ones, will introduce the missing link in the securitization of motor vehicle registration.
The plates will also put Kenya in the list of countries that are compliant with the the Vienna Traffic Conventions on global standards for number plates including look-and-feel features. They will also meet the requirements of local legal requirements under the Traffic Act 2016.
“Criminals have been driving cars around with number plates that were initially issued to tractors.There are many bankers that have been left holding logbooks registered in a fraudulent manner since they cannot trace the vehicles used as collateral,” he said.
According to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), the new plates will incorporate microchip technology and several anti-counterfeit security features that will render them practically impossible to imitate.
Besides unique template, they’ll feature a specially-imprinted national flag, hologram, watermark, unique and different serial numbers for rear and front plates that are linked to the vehicle’s chassis number and a customized font.
Transport CS Macharia said the Ministry gazetted Traffic (Registration Plates) Rules in 2016 to cover all types of registration plates, their usage, and application processes to reform the industry.
The rules prohibit the manufacture or sale of reflective registration plates or third registration plates licenses without the written consent of the Authority.
The new generation plates will cover all automobiles , including motorbikes and three-wheelers, trailers and tractors, whether private or government-owned, and those used by diplomats and international organizations.
Matiang’i said that the government will phase out the old plates within the next 18 months.
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