NAIROBI, Kenya — If you’ve been stuck in limbo waiting for your number plates, it’s time to check your phone and head to your local NTSA office.
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has officially resolved the months-long shortage of vehicle number plates and is now urging motorists to collect the plates already processed and ready for pickup.
Number Plates Are In—Go Get Yours
During a press briefing on Thursday, NTSA Board Chairperson Khatib Mwashetani confirmed that thousands of number plates are now available at NTSA offices across the country. If you applied for one and received a text notification, you’re on the pickup list.
“Clients who have received a text message have been urged to collect the plates at the offices they selected during the application process,” Mwashetani said, signaling the green light for collection after weeks of growing frustration among motorists.
Shortage Resolved, Production Stabilized
Backing up the Chairperson’s announcement, NTSA Director General George Njao assured the public that the number plate production hiccup—largely due to a shortage of raw materials—has been addressed. The supply chain is back on track, and the NTSA is now operating at full capacity.
“We appreciate the patience from Kenyans and our stakeholders. The concerns were valid, but we’re now back on track and committed to timely service delivery,” Njao said. The update follows rising concerns from car dealers and motorists alike, particularly in Nairobi and other urban centers, where delays were beginning to impact vehicle sales and registration.
For context, this isn’t NTSA’s first run-in with a number plate crisis. A similar shortage disrupted services in August 2024, prompting temporary halts in vehicle registration. Back then, the authority blamed the delays on motorists who failed to collect their plates despite receiving collection alerts.
Here’s What You’ll Pay
If you’re applying for a plate now—or planning to—you’ll want to know the costs:
- Standard number plate: Ksh 2,050
- Digital number plate: Ksh 3,050
- Customised number plate: Up to a jaw-dropping Ksh 1 million
To start your application or check your plate status, visit the official NTSA portal.
After weeks of slowdown, Kenya’s vehicle registration engine is roaring back to life. So if you’re among the thousands who’ve been notified, don’t delay—swing by your NTSA office and claim your number plate.
