Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang'i has announced that all motor vehicle and motorcycle dealers operating in Kenya must undergo fresh licensing by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) by April 1, 2022.
In a statement sent to newsrooms on Friday, January 28, the CS explained that dealers who qualify will be issued with new digital licensing cards.
Further, the Interior CS stated that existing licenses will be revoked at the expiry of the period that the government has announced.
CS Matiang'i also stated that all existing red KG plates must be surrendered to the NTSA and replaced with digital green plates by April 1, 2022.
In the statement, CS Matiang'i warned that existing plates will be rendered obsolete at the expiry of the period.
The Interior CS also added that all Container Freight Stations dealing in motor vehicles and towing services providers must surrender red KG plates and replace them with digital green KC and KT plates respectively by April 1, 2022.
According to the CS, the registration and the management of motor vehicles' records are critical in facilitating legal ownership and the documentation of relevant transactions. It also impacts the economy and the security of our nation.
He further stated that the decision was reached after the government established an Inter-Agency team drawn from the transport and security sectors to revalidate all motor vehicle and motorcycle dealers, manufacturers, repairers of motor vehicles and tow truck owners.
"The Inter-Agency Team has recommended a digital register of all motor vehicle dealerships in the country and the replacement of the red Kenya Garage (KG) plates with KC (Container Freight Stations), and KT (Kenya Towing) and green KG plates," the statement read in part.
CS Matiang'i had earlier joined the NTSA in rolling out new look number plates for container freight stations, garages and towing companies.
The new set of plates are "KC" for container freight stations, "KG" for garages and "KT" for towing companies. The new plates are white in colour on a light green background, resembling those initially used by the Municipal Councils.
Members of the public who wish to apply for the new KG plate license for garage and tow trucks will be required to pay Ksh18,550.
The applications can be made on the NTSA section on the eCitizen website. Once you log in to the website click on the NTSA option and you will be directed to a new page with an option written: Make Application.
