Government ministries and agencies are scrambling to meet an August 29, 2025 deadline requiring all official vehicles to be fitted with second-generation number plates, in a sweeping move aimed at enhancing national security and accountability in the public sector.
A circular issued on May 21, 2025 by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei ordered the immediate rollout of the high-tech plates across the entire government fleet.
Koskei warned that non-compliant vehicles would be impounded during a nationwide crackdown led jointly by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and the Government Vehicle Check Unit (GVCU).
“The enforcement operation will not spare any arm of government,” stated Koskei in the directive.
“All ministries, departments, and agencies must ensure their vehicles are compliant by the set date.”
The NTSA confirmed a sharp rise in registration applications since the directive was announced.
A senior official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the agency had already scaled up operations to cope with the surge.
“We’ve put in place adequate measures to manage the increased demand and ensure timely processing,” the official said. “There will be no excuse for delays.”
The second-generation number plates, which were introduced in 2023, are equipped with advanced security features including digital chips, QR codes, and tamper-proof materials.
They are part of a broader national initiative to align vehicle identification systems with international standards, and to crack down on misuse of public vehicles and crimes involving cloned or altered plates.
According to Koskei, the transition is a key pillar in the government’s strategy to improve road safety, track government fleet usage more effectively, and deter vehicle-related crimes.
The directive also comes amid a troubling rise in abduction cases in the country.
Investigators have, in some instances, traced such incidents to vehicles with forged or manipulated license plates.
Authorities believe the new plates could significantly enhance traceability and deterrence.
Despite the logistical challenge, government institutions have little choice but to comply.
The August deadline is seen as non-negotiable, with law enforcement set to begin rigorous checks immediately afterward.
With fewer than three months left, agencies have been urged to prioritize compliance and allocate necessary resources to avoid service disruptions once enforcement begins.
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