In a decisive move to enhance road safety and reduce vehicle-related crime, Kenya’s National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has ordered all government vehicles to replace their old number plates with new-generation digital plates by August 29, 2025.
Head of Public Service Felix Koskei issued the directive through a circular, requiring all Ministries, Departments, Agencies, State Corporations, Public Universities, and County Governments to comply with the transition or face impoundment of their vehicles. NTSA and the Government Vehicle Check Unit (GVCU) will jointly enforce the directive.
Authorities introduced the new plates in 2023, embedding them with electronic chips and digital tracking features, which make them significantly more difficult to forge. These plates conform to international vehicle identification standards and aim to promote transparency in public asset usage.
Koskei emphasized, “This is not just a paperwork issue. Public vehicles should not operate like private property. There must be proper tracking and identification.”
Consequently, the government acted in response to a spike in cases involving the misuse of government vehicles and criminal activities linked to cloned or altered number plates. Notably, several recent abduction cases involved suspiciously registered vehicles, prompting stricter fleet control.
To support the transition, NTSA has updated its service portal and eCitizen platform to facilitate bulk applications and payments. Each government institution must now appoint an official agent to handle the process, including submitting passport photos and identification details to NTSA.
However, some agencies especially those in remote counties, are struggling with logistical and financial obstacles that threaten their ability to meet the deadline. Still, Koskei stated clearly that no extensions will be granted, affirming the government’s firm stance on national security and accountability.
Meanwhile, NTSA has set up help desks at its headquarters, regional offices, and Huduma Centres to assist with the process. In addition, the agency assured the public of its capacity to manage the surge in applications.
