Editor's Review

The government has launched a new generation of digital motor-vehicle number plates.

The government on Tuesday, August 30, launched a new generation of digital motor-vehicle number plates, giving motorists an 18-month ultimatum to replace the plates.

Speaking during the launch of the new generation plates at GSU Recce unit Headquarters in Ruiru, Transport CS James Macharia said that the new plates have improved security features.

Macharia further said that the plates form a basis of monitoring and tracking of motor-vehicles which he said have significantly increased in number in the country.

"They form a basis for tracking and monitoring vehicles in the country which have risen significantly from 3.2M million last year to 4.8 million this year," the Transport CS said.

Interior CS Dr. Fred Matiang'i (right).

The digital number plates have inbuilt security features and further additional physical features that will help in the curbing of crime.

Interior CS Dr. Fred Matiang’i, who had accompanied Mucheru, said that the new plates shall be fixed on all imported motor-vehicles and will be synchronized KRA systems to assist in curbing of tax evasion incidents.

Matiang’i urged motorists to comply with the 18-month ultimatum and change the old plates, adding that the issuance of the new plates will begin with newly registered vehicles.

"Commissioning of the new generation number plates marks a historic moment in securitizing vehicle registration by eliminating loopholes exploited by financial fraudsters and unscrupulous motor vehicle importers. Issuance of new plates will begin with newly registered vehicles," Matiang'i said.

Motorists will be required to pay Ksh3,000 to replace the old motor-vehicle number plates to the new digital ones.