The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) is under scrutiny over delays in issuing new-generation vehicle number plates, with senators demanding answers on the cause of the backlog and measures being taken to ensure motorists receive the plates on time.
The Senate Standing Committee on Roads and Transportation is investigating concerns raised over the delays, which have affected motorists who have completed registration processes and paid the required fees but are still waiting for their number plates.
The matter was brought before the Senate by Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu, who asked the committee to establish why NTSA has taken long to process and issue the plates.
Nyutu wants the authority to “provide details on the number of pending applications as of July 1, 2026, including a breakdown by county, vehicle category and the period each application has remained unprocessed.”
The senator also wants NTSA to explain its current production capacity, plans to expand or modernise the production and distribution of number plates, and the timelines for implementing the proposed changes.
He further called for information on the procurement of raw materials used in manufacturing the plates and measures being taken by the Ministry of Roads and Transport and NTSA to clear the backlog.
Nyutu said motorists should not be punished or face enforcement action because of delays caused by government institutions.
The concerns attracted support from other senators, who questioned NTSA’s operations and raised issues around accountability and service delivery.
Makueni Senator Daniel Maanzo questioned the implementation of regulations introduced by NTSA, saying some had not been subjected to parliamentary scrutiny as required.
Maanzo said the Senate Committee on Delegated Legislation had recommended the annulment of three NTSA regulations and accused the authority of attempting to introduce the rules when Parliament was on recess.
“Kenyans must know that this House has pronounced itself on those regulations,” Maanzo said.
He added that regulations relating to number plates had not been presented before Parliament despite already being implemented.
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka said the concerns surrounding NTSA went beyond delayed number plates and raised questions over the management of the authority and accountability of funds collected from motorists.
Onyonka asked the committee to investigate the leadership of NTSA and how money collected from services, including funds linked to speed governors, is managed.
“The issue of NTSA raised by Senator Nyutu is a matter that affects county governments,” Onyonka said.
Elgeyo Marakwet Senator William Kisang said the delays were affecting vehicle importers, with some vehicles remaining at the Port of Mombasa and other storage facilities because they cannot be released without number plates.
“There are many people importing vehicles from Japan, Dubai, Thailand and South Africa. Sometimes vehicles lie in the Mombasa Inland Container Depot and Container Freight Stations for a long time because the number plates have not been released,” Kisang said.
He urged the Ministry of Roads and Transport to ensure vehicles are registered promptly after arrival to prevent additional costs and challenges for importers.
“So, the NTSA needs to improve its act and ensure that when vehicles arrive, they are registered on time and number plates are issued. Without number plates, vehicles cannot be released or legally driven on the road,” he said.
The Senate committee is expected to investigate the cause of the delays, establish the extent of the backlog and recommend measures to improve the issuance of vehicle number plates.
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