The National Transport and Safety Authority has started issuing vehicle registration number plates with the new ‘KE’ prefix, moving on from the previous KD series. The first plates in the series, beginning with KEA, have already appeared on Kenyan roads.
A sample of the new generation reflective number plates now being issued under the KE series by NTSA.
The development has drawn interest from motorists, many of whom have asked on social media whether they can reserve preferred combinations such as KEG or KES.
What the New ‘KE’ Number Plates Mean
The KE series is not a new registration system and does not introduce major changes to the existing format. It is simply the next alphabetical sequence after the KD series ran out of available combinations.
An NTSA official confirmed that there has been no official launch or public unveiling of the KE plates. The Authority issues plates in sequence as applications are processed. Motorists receiving KE plates continue with the same registration procedures already in place.
The plates remain the modern reflective generation introduced earlier, with digital security features linked to the NTSA database.
Six-Month Vehicle Registration Data (January – June 2026)
NTSA records show that 207,259 new motor vehicles were registered in Kenya between January and June 2026. January recorded the highest number of registrations.
| Month | New Vehicles Registered |
|---|---|
| January | 37,650 |
| February | 28,137 |
| March | 35,798 |
| April | 34,041 |
| May | 36,299 |
| June | 35,334 |
| Total | 207,259 |
Vehicle Categories
Motorcycles dominated new registrations, accounting for 133,127 units in the six-month period. Station wagons followed with 42,808 units. The remaining numbers covered pick-ups, lorries, trailers, vans, buses, saloons, three-wheelers, wheeled tractors and other categories.
What Motorists Need to Know
The ordinary vehicle registration process remains unchanged. New owners or those transferring ownership apply through the NTSA portal on eCitizen in the usual way. Once the application is approved and fees are paid, the Authority assigns the next available number in the current series.
The pair of reflective number plates currently costs KSh 3,050. Processing normally takes about seven working days, subject to production capacity.
Motorists can track the status of their applications through the official NTSA service status portal.
Can You Choose or Reserve a KE Number?
No. NTSA has clarified that motorists cannot reserve future ordinary registration combinations such as KEG or KES in advance. Numbers are issued sequentially as the series progresses.
Special or personalised plates follow a separate process and attract higher fees. A special plate (specific available combination) costs KSh 30,000, while a fully personalised plate costs KSh 1 million, subject to NTSA approval and availability rules.
Anyone interested in a special plate should wait until the desired series is active or apply through the official special plate channel once it opens.
Number-Plate Backlog Context
The appearance of the KE series comes at a time when NTSA has also been clearing a significant production backlog. Earlier in 2026 the Authority acknowledged a backlog of more than 30,000 paid-for plates that had not yet been printed.
These two issues are separate. The move to KE is the normal exhaustion of the previous series. The backlog relates to production and issuance delays that have affected both new registrations and replacements. NTSA has been working to clear the pending applications.
What the Data Says
The first-half registration figures show steady demand for new vehicles, with motorcycles remaining the largest single category. The transition to the KE series is a routine administrative step that will continue until the available combinations in that block are exhausted, after which the Authority will move to the next sequence.
Motorists are advised to use only official NTSA channels on eCitizen for all registration and plate applications to avoid delays or fraud.
Also read:How to Check Vehicle Ownership in Kenya 2026 (NTSA Copy of Records)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the KE series a completely new type of number plate?
No. It is the next alphabetical block after KD. The physical plates remain the same modern reflective design.
Can I book KEG or KES now?
No. Ordinary combinations cannot be reserved in advance. Special plates have a separate application process.
How much do the new plates cost?
A pair of reflective plates currently costs KSh 3,050 through the official NTSA process.
Where do I apply?
Through the NTSA vehicle services portal on eCitizen.
Sources
- Kenyans.co.ke – NTSA Begins Issuing ‘KE’ Number Plates (27 August 2026)
- NTSA Official – Application for Reflective Number Plate
- The Eastleigh Voice – NTSA number-plate backlog reports
- NTSA vehicle registration statistics for January–June 2026