Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, on Sunday, September 18, raised eyebrows over the new digital number plates launched by the Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i.
Speaking to the press, the Senator detailed a memo written by an official from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and addressed to its Director General Benjamin Njao.
The memo, which was authored by the Director of Registration and Licensing, inquired if the Authority could use direct procurement in producing the number plates enmasse.
Omtatah was perplexed by the memo disclosing that during the launch on August 30, Matiang'i had a sample of the digital plates and announced that the new product was ready for rollout.
"Around August 30, Interior CS Fred Matiang'i convened a meeting in Ruiru and had samples of the digital number plates. He announced that the plates would begin operations on October 1 and people were given 18 months to obtain the plates at a cost of Ksh3,000
"What is shocking is that I received a certain memo dated September 6 addressed to the Director General from the Director of Registration and Licensing. The letter was asking for permission to use direct procurement. If these number plates had already been made for use and samples launched, why the need for procurement," stated Omtatah.
As a result, the Senator announced that he planned to file a petition against NTSA over the procurement process.
During the launch, Matiang'i noted that the plates would be applicable for all automobiles, including motorbikes and three-wheelers, trailers and tractors, both private and government-owned.
The shift, which is mandatory, also affected vehicles used by diplomats and international organizations will adopt the new generational plates.
The digital plates will be synchronised with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) systems to nab dealers who evade paying taxes.
"We are doing this because we want to address the security of our country. We want to help other agencies such as KRA to function properly, uplift the financial sector and improve transparency,” Matiang'i stated at the time.
Those who fail to comply face a fine of up to Ksh20,000.
