Kenya is set to phase out physical motor vehicle logbooks in a major digital overhaul that the transport authority says will cut fraud, eliminate bureaucratic delays and modernise the country’s vehicle registration system.

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) announced that it will officially roll out the electronic motor vehicle registration certificate, dubbed the eLogbook, on June 10, marking the end of decades of reliance on paper-based logbooks.

SDT blocks FKF ouster bid, cites Fifa probe Football

Shen eyes second win as Rising Stars series returns Boxing

NTSA Director General Nashon Kondiwa said the shift is part of a broader government strategy to digitise transport services and improve efficiency across the sector.

“We are not only bringing services closer to wananchi by enabling them to access their logbooks electronically, but we are also eliminating bureaucracy and cartels,” Kondiwa said during a media briefing held on the sidelines of the 3rd Annual Regulatory Authorities and Agencies Conference at South Eastern Kenya University.

The transition will see vehicle owners access their logbooks through the government’s eCitizen platform, eliminating the need for printed certificates and lengthy waiting periods associated with manual processing.

According to the NTSA, the eLogbook will be generated instantly once a vehicle is registered or ownership is transferred, significantly reducing turnaround times for motorists, financiers and dealers.

The digital document will also feature encrypted security systems and QR code verification technology aimed at curbing widespread fraud linked to fake or altered logbooks.

Under the new system, banks, insurers and prospective buyers will be able to verify ownership details instantly by scanning a QR code embedded in the electronic certificate. NTSA says this will make vehicle transactions faster and safer while reducing disputes over ownership authenticity.

The authority has increasingly faced pressure to modernise its systems amid rising vehicle ownership and growing concerns over fraudulent transfers, duplicate logbooks and manipulation of paper records.

The eLogbook is expected to integrate directly with insurance, inspection and public service vehicle compliance systems, allowing law enforcement agencies to verify vehicle status in real time.

NTSA says police officers and inspection units will be able to instantly confirm ownership details, insurance validity, inspection records and stolen vehicle alerts through the digital database.

The authority argues that the reforms will also lower operational costs by eliminating printing, physical storage and courier expenses associated with traditional logbooks.

Vehicle owners will no longer incur replacement charges for lost logbooks, as copies can be downloaded directly from their eCitizen accounts at no cost.

NTSA Corporate Communication Principal Officer Anthony Nyongesa said the agency had already established support systems to ensure a smooth transition to the new platform.

The rollout comes as Kenya accelerates digitisation of public services under the eCitizen platform, which has become the primary gateway for accessing government services ranging from business registration to tax compliance.

For the financial sector, the eLogbook is expected to streamline vehicle financing processes by enabling banks and Saccos to digitally verify ownership and lien status without relying on physical files.

NTSA says lenders will also be able to register and discharge financial interests electronically, reducing the risk of vehicles being sold without financiers’ knowledge — a loophole that has previously exposed lenders to fraud.

The authority further says the system will create a centralised digital repository tracking a vehicle’s entire lifecycle, including registration, ownership transfers, inspections and deregistration.

Every change made to a vehicle’s record will be time-stamped and cryptographically secured, creating what NTSA describes as an immutable audit trail.

Industry players say the move could significantly improve efficiency in Kenya’s fast-growing automotive market, where delays in ownership transfers and verification have often slowed transactions.

The digital rollout will affect several NTSA services, including new vehicle registrations, used vehicle imports, ownership transfers, asset financing registrations, duplicate logbook applications and deregistration services.

The launch also reflects broader efforts by state agencies to use digital infrastructure to combat corruption and informal middlemen who have historically thrived within manual government processes.

While the transition is expected to improve efficiency, analysts say its success will depend on public awareness, cybersecurity safeguards and stable internet access across the country.

NTSA says it will conduct training programmes and establish technical support desks to help motorists and stakeholders adapt to the new system ahead of the June rollout.