NTSA number plate delays ground vehicles, trigger transport crisis and losses
He questioned the lack of accountability for operators of some public service vehicles, commonly referred to as “Nganya” or “Manyoka,” which he said continue to pose risks due to reckless driving practices.
Delays by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) in issuing new vehicle number plates have triggered a crisis in the transport sector, with operators warning of mounting financial losses and increased safety risks.
Commercial transporters and individual vehicle owners say they are unable to put newly acquired vehicles on the road due to the shortage, despite having fully paid for registration services.
Daniel Kimani, Chairperson of Shammah Transporters Sacco, said members are among the hardest hit, with trucks grounded and businesses incurring daily losses.
“Whenever we put our vehicles on the road without official number plates, we are not only harassed by traffic police, but it is also highly risky in case of an accident or theft of the motor vehicle,” Kimani said.
He added that improvised identifiers such as handwritten or printed plates are illegal and not recognised by law enforcement.
Kimani further noted that the delay has also affected the processing of logbooks, complicating vehicle ownership documentation and worsening operational challenges for transporters.
His colleague Peter Mugweru warned that some members risk losing their vehicles through bank repossessions, as many of the trucks were acquired on credit but are currently not generating income due to the grounding.
According to David Kiarie, Chairperson of the Road Safety Association of Kenya, the crisis stems from complications in the e-Citizen payment system, where the Sh3,000 fee per vehicle does not immediately reach NTSA, causing delays in procurement and production of plates.
He called for reforms to allow direct payments to NTSA or the contracted manufacturer, arguing that the current system has created unnecessary bureaucracy and cash flow constraints. Kiarie also urged the National Treasury to expedite release of funds to ensure uninterrupted production.
He further criticised what he termed systemic inefficiencies, saying the delays amount to “economic sabotage” for traders and vehicle buyers forced to wait indefinitely.
At the same time, Kiarie raised concerns over road safety enforcement, citing a recent Nairobi accident involving a minibus that claimed five lives.
He questioned the lack of accountability for operators of some public service vehicles, commonly referred to as “Nganya” or “Manyoka,” which he said continue to pose risks due to reckless driving practices.
