NTSA dismisses reports on number plate shortage, says stocks are sufficient

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has dismissed reports that it has run out of vehicle registration plates in Mombasa and Nairobi centres.

This comes a day after the Kenya Car Importers Association (KCIA) chairman said the Authority had a shortage of vehicle number plates in Mombasa to meet the high demand for motorists seeking to have registration done before leaving the port.

NTSA now says that it has enough reserves in its centres capable of running the country up to KDH999N. Currently, registration is at KDH/K, KDH/M series.

“NTSA in undertaking its mandate provides an enabling environment to all stakeholders by ensuring business operations are not affected in any way. In so doing, the Authority has always ensured timely issuance of identification plates upon registration of motor vehicles,” read the statement on Friday.

“To ensure market demands are met, the Authority has sufficient stocks in both Mombasa and Nairobi with current identification plates available for allocation running up to KDH999N.”

KCIA national chairman Peter Otieno had blamed the Authority over the delay in issuing the number plates at the Container Freight Station, (CFS) at the port saying that the delay was crippling operations and limiting importations of used vehicles.

“It is a total failure due to the fact that our members are not getting services better. Our previous system which was much friendly and the registration of our motor vehicles could be done as fast as possible even though this issue of numbers has been a problem,” Otieno said on Thursday.

He added: “If this system is not working, let them go back to the old system. Let them allow us to remove the vehicles without numbers because they have never demonstrated that the vehicles that have been removed without numbers to the CFSS are the vehicles that are being used in crime.”

The multi-agency appealed to motorists to visit its website for any related services, noting that registration is ongoing.

“Currently, the Authority is registering motor vehicles; KDH/K, KDH/M, series in Mombasa and Nairobi respectively. NTSA services relating to registration, transfer and inspection of motor vehicles are available on the website,” stated the report.