By Billy Mijungu
The National Transport and Safety Authority Act needs urgent amendment to align vehicle registration with the actual year of manufacture. The current system that assigns registration purely based on the year a car enters the country or when it is first registered locally is outdated, unfair, and detrimental to both buyers and sellers. If a car was manufactured in 1992, its registration should indicate that, not mislead owners and the market by placing it under a later date.
This is not just a matter of administrative tidiness. The impact is real, immediate, and costly. Importers and manufacturers are among the worst hit by the irregularities created by the existing system. Asset values drop unnaturally because vehicles that should retain their worth are registered in ways that erode confidence and transparency. When market participants cannot trust the correlation between a registration number and the actual age of a vehicle, the market suffers.
The public too pays a heavy price. A buyer who invests in what is technically a newer vehicle can find that its resale value plunges because the registration suggests otherwise. For many car owners, this is not only a financial issue but also a psychological one. Imagine purchasing a car last year only to be told that, on paper, it looks older than another vehicle manufactured before yours but registered later. This creates confusion and frustration and distorts the perception of ownership.
Globally, many countries have already moved to align vehicle registration with the year of manufacture, not just the date of import or first use. In the United Kingdom, for example, number plates have long reflected the age identifier of the vehicle, making it easy for buyers and sellers to establish the approximate age of a car at first glance. In the United States, title documents and registration records clearly reflect the year of manufacture, ensuring that buyers know exactly what they are purchasing. Kenya should not lag behind when a transparent and fair model already exists in well-established automotive markets.
This reform would also have broader economic benefits. For one, it would protect the value of assets for millions of Kenyan households and businesses that rely on vehicles not just for convenience but also as financial security. Banks and lending institutions that use vehicles as collateral would have greater confidence in asset valuation. Importers would be able to market vehicles more accurately, reducing disputes with clients and improving trust in the automotive sector.
Additionally, aligning registration with year of manufacture would deter dishonest practices. Unscrupulous dealers sometimes exploit the current loophole by selling vehicles as if they were newer than they actually are. A transparent system would eliminate this ambiguity and protect unsuspecting buyers from being misled.
Critics may argue that introducing such a system would require restructuring of NTSA databases and reissuing some documentation, which could be costly. However, the long-term benefits far outweigh the transition costs. A phased approach could be adopted where all new registrations reflect the year of manufacture while older vehicles are progressively updated in the system.
The government has consistently emphasized its commitment to protecting consumers, strengthening markets, and ensuring accountability in public administration. Reforming vehicle registration to reflect the year of manufacture fits squarely within these priorities. It would enhance trust, safeguard asset values, and create a fairer playing field for all participants in the motor vehicle sector.
It is time for Parliament to move with speed and amend the National Transport and Safety Authority Act. Kenya deserves a vehicle registration system that reflects reality, protects citizens, and aligns with global best practice.
