New vehicle plates to curb cheating
Mr James Mangala of Vehicle Inspection Unit, Nakuru removing number plates from a bus which was declared unroadworthy during an operation mounted along Nakuru-Nairobi highway. A new series of number plates has been unveiled to rein in motor vehicle sellers who capitalise on new registrations to attract clients. PHOTO/ FILE
What you need to know:
- Importers were using newer numbers meant for motorcycles on cars to woo clients
A new series of number plates has been unveiled to rein in motor vehicle sellers who capitalise on new registrations to attract clients.
The new system will apply to motorcycles, wheeled tractors and three wheelers, commonly known as tuk tuks, and will be effected from May 2, this year.
Motor vehicles registrar Simon ole Kirgoty on Monday said the move came after his department discovered that some motor vehicle importers were using number plates initially meant for motorcycles, tractors and other heavy machinery to sell their vehicles.
“Most Kenyans are attracted to a vehicle’s registration number other than mileage and year of manufacture. And in order for the sellers to capitalise on this, they use these number plates because they are relatively newer,” said Mr Kirgoty.
The other factor has been the upsurge in the number of motorcycles, which have been registered in the last three years.
Statistics show that their number now rivalled that of other motor vehicles. The government has zero-rated value added tax on motorcycles of up to 250cc.
In 2006, a paltry 6,250 motorcycles were registered, and the number steadily rose to 16,293 the following year before shooting to 51,412 last year.
Realising that the vehicles’ number plates were being rendered “too old too fast”, the dealers, according to Mr Kirgoty, devised ways of ensuring their vehicles were current, even after keeping them in their yards for a long time.
Deal a blow
To end the deceitful practice, the department would withdraw the number plates of the affected vehicles and issue them with the new series for free. Those registering new ones from May 2 will be issued with the new series of number plates.
This will deal a blow on vehicle sellers who preyed on innocent Kenyans who look at the registration number when choosing a vehicle to buy.
“The days of the sellers’ deceitful acts are numbered. When we announce the specific number plates we are recalling, those that might have fallen victim will come up and surrender the number plates,” he said.
