Kenyan motorists to pay Sh700 for digital registration plates

NAIROBI, KENYA: Motorists will be required to pay Sh700 to get stickers for the new digital registration plates with effect from October 1.

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has announced the one-off charge and said from October, all motor vehicle inspection bookings will be charged Sh700 more to cater for the stickers.

Acquisition of the Third Identifier, NTSA said, was part of the Traffic Regulation Plate Rules gazetted in April 2016. Director General Francis Meja said the stickers were meant to increase the authority's vigilance on the road, which will not necessarily require the presence of traffic officers.

Additionally, the stickers will provide a sense of security for vehicle owners as they will be fitted with chips to enable tracking.

Mr Meja said from next month, on completion of the inspection process, motorists will be issued with the stickers that will also serve as the official NTSA Motor Vehicle Inspection stickers, which can be read electronically. 

Motorists will be required to display the stickers on their windscreens at all times. The stickers have a 10-year lifespan.