The National Transport and Safety Authority has ordered all vehicle dealers to list all unregistered vehicles by Monday, a move that has elicited great debate, with fingers pointing at the very agencies involved in the registration process.

Why the Growth of Unregistered Vehicles?

The volumes of unlicensed and those with Kenya Dealers plates plying Kenyan roads are on the increase. Motor vehicle dealers argue state agencies are wholly culpable in this phenomenon. It is claimed that rogue officials at Port of Mombasa allow unlicensed vehicles into the streets for as meager as Ksh 10,000.

Agencies Involved in Vehicle Registration

The registration of vehicles involves multiple government agencies:

  • NTSA: Develops the registration and licensing of motor vehicles.
  • Kenya Revenue Authority - in charge of the customs duties.
  • Kenya Bureau of Standards: It undertakes conformity tests in execution of ensuring compliance on the importation rule.
  • Kenya Ports Authority: Provides releases from the ports.

KEBS begins the process by undertaking the inspection of the imported vehicles, followed by payment of customs duty to KRA, allocation of number plates by NTSA, and finally release from the port by KPA in that order.

Legal Consequences of Not Registering Vehicles

The Traffic Act CAP 403 prohibits any person from using an unregistered vehicle on a road unless exempted by the Cabinet Secretary for Transport. Failure to adhere attracts a fine of not more than Ksh 300,000 or an imprisonment of not more than 12 months, or both.

VEHICLE REGISTRATION FEES IN KENYA

Pricing for vehicle registrations is as follows:

  • Standard Plates: From Ksh 2,050, depending on the engine capacity and model. 
  • Custom Plates: Special plates, for example, "KDD 777R," go for Ksh 30,000.
  • Personalized Plates: Ksh 1 million.

This, again, will not take more than seven days, of course as long as everything is in order.

Understanding KD Plates 

These KD plates are basically temporary plates for vehicle dealers, who use them to move their cars from the port to the showrooms. They are valid throughout the year on the payment of yearly charges but the usage can be restricted from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Proposed Solutions to the Problem 

Car dealers, on their part, suggested an exit fee at the ports for those vehicles that leave without registration on the roads, arguing that it would increase compliance and substantially raise revenue to the government. 

Risks of Unregistered Vehicles 

Such vehicles have also been associated with crime, including terrorism and kidnappings. An example is the vehicle used at the Dusit Hotel terrorist attack that was a fraudulently registered vehicle.