Gov't limits number of vehicles for CSs, bans use of private number plates

The National Treasury has proposed to limit vehicles allocated to government officials as part of the measures to enhance value for money and realise economic austerity.

The proposals are included in the Government Transport Policy, 2024 drafted by Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, that seeks to regulate the management of government transportation while on official duty.

In the proposed changes, each Cabinet Secretary will be provided with two vehicles, whereas each Principal Secretary will be allocated one vehicle.

The vehicles shall not exceed 2,600 CC for saloon cars and 3,000 CC for 4x4 utility vehicles.

For heads of parastatals and Chief Executives of independent offices and commissions, as well as chairpersons of State corporations, they will be allocated a vehicle each.

Senior cadre officers will be facilitated from a pool of vehicles while commissioners of independent officers and members of parastatal boards will be required to seek reimbursement after using their private vehicles.

These vehicles will not exceed 2,400 CC for saloon cars and 3,000 CC for 4x4 utility vehicles.

At county level, each Governor will be allocated two vehicles, while their deputies will have a vehicle each.

All County Executive Committee Members and chief officers will be given one vehicle while senior cadre officers will be facilitated from a pool of vehicles.

Vehicles purchased for officers on Job Group R and above (senior officers who are eligible for Business Class air travel), High Court Judges and State Corporation CEOs will not exceed 2,000 CC for saloon cars and 2,900 CC for 4x4 utility vehicles.

"Passenger utility vehicles above 3,000 CC are not allowed in government except specialised vehicles and for security purposes," the proposal read in part.

According to CS Mbadi, the government has been allocating billions of taxpayers' money to purchase new fleets of vehicles.

The budgetary allocation increased from Ksh.8.6 billion in 2021 to Ksh.9.7 billion in 2022 and Ksh.14.3 billion in 2023.

The CS further pointed out that Ksh.12.2 billion was budgeted for in the year 2023/24 to purchase and maintain new vehicles.

Number Plates

In the policy, the use of private number plates for government vehicles will be prohibited except for security vehicles.

According to Mbadi, any official seeking to use private plates on a government vehicle must seek approval from the Head of Public Service.