This archive report was first published on 28 August 2021.
Kenya's Interior Ministry, led by CS Fred Matiang'i, has made significant progress in clearing a backlog of car number plates at Mombasa Port, a move that has brought relief to motorists who had been experiencing delays.
According to a newsletter dated August 28, 2021, the Ministry aimed to clear the backlog within two weeks, a timeframe that has since been met.
The backlog was caused by a delay in the delivery of raw materials, occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the supply chain, as explained by Interior Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS), Ambassador Hussein Dado, during a National Assembly Committee appearance.
Despite the challenges, the Department of Correctional Services, responsible for manufacturing car plates, has been working diligently to clear the backlog. The institution had paid for a consignment of plates in April but faced delays due to custom export clearances and strained manufacturing and logistics lines.
With the consignment now delivered to Kamiti Maximum Security Prison, the institution has been working around the clock to produce the plates, with a total of 40,000 logbooks printed and collected by NTSA as of August 24, 2021.
Additionally, the printing of log books has resumed at the government printer, with a brief pause caused by the breakdown of a specialized security machine whose spare parts had to be imported.
NTSA has also directed KRA to authorize the release of all vehicles duly registered, and issue e-stickers upon verification of the registration status of such vehicles.
Motor vehicle dealers and owners have had to contend with congestion at the Port of Mombasa, but the recent efforts have brought relief to those affected.
