The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has recorded a significant increase in the number of newly registered vehicles, weeks after warning Kenyans against keeping unregistered vehicles within their premises.
The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), in its quarterly Leading Economic Indicators report released on Tuesday, February 18, revealed that the number of newly registered vehicles increased to 15,587 in December last year, compared to 12,075 in November.
According to KNBS, the statistics were mainly based on the body type of vehicles, with station wagons recording the highest number of registrations at 7,447, followed by saloon cars at 614.
Other types of vehicles that also recorded increases in registration include vans (275), buses (146), trailers (246), and wheeled tractors (85).
Overall, January, February and March recorded the highest number of vehicle registrations while May, August and November recorded the lowest vehicle registration turnout.
Meanwhile, the latest report comes hardly two months after NTSA Director General George Njao ordered Kenyans to register their unregistered vehicles within seven days.
Addressing Kenyans on December 7, Njao warned that those found to have contravened the directive would have their vehicles impounded and face fines.
Njao noted that the orders were informed by the license validation exercise conducted in November by officials and the Directorate of Immigration Department. He revealed that during the exercise, the Authority discovered that several unregistered vehicles were being held by dealers in various parts of the country.
According to the NTSA boss, the directive was in line with Sections 23 and 24 of the Traffic Act, which mandate the Authority to license and regulate motor vehicle and motorcycle dealers.
"Following the completion of the initiative, the Authority notes that several motor vehicle dealers are holding unregistered vehicles within their premises, contrary to the requirements of the Traffic Act, Cap 40," Njao stated.
"To this end, and through this notice, the Authority directs all motor vehicle dealers to complete pending motor vehicle registration applications by Monday, December 16, 2024. Law enforcement agencies are advised to impound vehicles operating without registration plates," he added.
In his notice, the Director-General also cautioned Kenyans against illegally using Kenya Dealer Plates (KD) number plates, warning of heavy penalties for offenders.
