NTSA Under Fire as Number Plate Shortage Hits 70,000 Units

Pressure is mounting on the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) following a growing shortage of vehicle number plates that has now exceeded 70,000 units, leaving thousands of motorists stranded without proper registration.

The Motorists Association of Kenya has raised concerns over the escalating backlog, attributing the crisis to the delayed disbursement of funds from the National Treasury.

According to the association, suppliers contracted to produce the plates have not been paid, stalling the procurement of essential raw materials and slowing down production.

The association has questioned why motorists are required to pay for number plates at the point of registration, yet the authority reportedly lacks adequate funding to ensure timely production. It further notes that vehicle importers already shoulder significant excise duties when bringing cars into the country.

“Kenyans are being told there is a shortage of over 70,000 number plates because NTSA Kenya suppliers have not been paid due to ‘delayed funding,’” the association said.

Data shared by the lobby group indicates that the backlog affects approximately 51,000 motorcycles, 7,000 newly registered vehicles, and about 750 tuk-tuks. Production challenges have particularly impacted the KDV-W, X, Y, and Z series plates since mid-February.

The ripple effects of the shortage are now being felt across the financial and automotive sectors. Banks are reportedly unable to finalize asset transfer processes without physical number plates, causing loan approvals to stall and leaving vehicles parked in showrooms.

Meanwhile, thousands of imported vehicles remain stuck at the Port of Mombasa as dealers and buyers await plate issuance, compounding losses within the motor trade industry.