Political analyst Herman Manyora has exposed the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) for allegedly extorting motorists seeking to obtain new number plates.
Manyora made the claims on February 28, 2024, calling on Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to intervene and make sure that the accused officials are dealt with.
“Kipchumba Murkomen should step in to dismantle the crooks at the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) who are working in collaboration with NTSA staff to fleece motorists going to obtain new generation number plates,” said Manyora.
According to Manyora, the officials are reputedly charging motorists seeking for the services as much as Ksh3,000 to replace their number plates.
He further added that motorists are left with no choice but to fall prey to the bribery as they can’t walk away without number plates.
New Generation plates rolled out by NTSA
NTSA rolled out new generation number plates in August 2022 during the reign of former President Uhuru Kenyatta government as part of measures to guarantee security against duplication.
Also Read: NTSA New System Rollout Hits Car Sellers Countrywide
Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i while unveiling the plates cited the improvement in security and also said that the transition would play part in helping the financial sector and improve on transparency.
“We are doing this because we want to address the security of our country. We are doing this because we want to help other agencies such as the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) function properly,” Matiang’i said.
He further noted that the rolling out of the plates made sure that the Government complied with the amended Traffic Act of 2016, which he said was yet to be realized.
How to Apply for New Number Plate
According to NTSA, the plates provided come either in oblong or square shapes, which motorists must confirm before submissions.
Also Read: NTSA Gives Update on New Number Plates Application & Vehicle Transfer
The first step of application is to log into your E-Citizen account. Proceed to select NTSA new service portal and choose motor vehicle and click on view.
Proceed to click on motor vehicle services then reflective plate. Under reflective plate, select plate type and counter collection office.
Attach the required documents in PDF format. After that is done, scroll down and tick the declaration box then click preview.
Continue by submitting payment for the plate and click complete. After that, wait for a notification SMS on when to collect your number plate.
The process takes approximately seven working days.
For a single reflective number plate, motorists will part ways with Ksh1,550 while for a pair of the number plate, motorists will pay Ksh3,050.
