NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 20 – The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has dismissed reports that it has restricted the use of KD number plates, even as car dealers and importers continue to raise concerns over new operational rules they say could slow down vehicle deliveries and disrupt the motor trade.
NTSA Director General Nashon Kondiwa said the Authority had not restricted KD plates, noting that their use remains anchored in law under the Traffic Act.
“The Authority has not restricted the use of KD plates. The Use of dealer’s general licence is provided under Section 24 (1,2,3,4,5,6,7) of the Traffic Act (Cap 403),” Kondiwa said.
The clarification comes after dealers raised alarm over new rules limiting KD plates to specific functions such as test drives, towing and transfers between dealerships and clients, while prohibiting their use for personal errands or extended road use before registration.
Dealers have also questioned how vehicles imported under customers’ names would be transported from ports and clearing facilities to buyers without KD plates, but NTSA maintained that full registration must be completed before vehicles leave container freight stations (CFS).
“As per the requirements of law, vehicles are registered before leaving a CFS so it is not necessary to use a KD plate on a registered vehicle,” Kondiwa added.
The Authority defended the requirement for comprehensive insurance on vehicles using KD plates, saying the minimum legal cover in Kenya remains third-party insurance, while broader coverage is tied to risk management for unregistered vehicles.
Industry players, however, warn that the changes could slow down deliveries, especially for importers moving vehicles from Mombasa to Nairobi showrooms, with dealers now required to wait for logbooks and number plates before releasing cars to customers.
Concerns have also emerged over alleged misuse of KD plates in the past, with NTSA linking tighter controls to cases of theft involving unregistered vehicles, and insisting the framework under Section 24 of the Traffic Act already governs dealer licensing and usage.
Despite the pushback, NTSA said Kenya has sufficient KD plates to meet market demand, even as dealers call for a smoother transition to avoid disruption in the motor trade sector.
