The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has introduced new guidelines for car dealers and owners to validate the authenticity of imported vehicle logbooks before local registration.
To streamline this verification, NTSA will connect its systems with Kenya TradeNet and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) customs system. This marks the initial phase of document verification for imported motor vehicles.
Kenya TradeNet functions as an electronic platform enabling traders and logistics companies to submit documents digitally, apply for permits, and process payments with multiple government agencies through a unified interface.
NTSA has explained that once an importer submits their import documents, the authority will authenticate the foreign logbook against approved sources before issuing a Kenyan e-logbook.
Addressing concerns about potential circumvention, NTSA stated, “This cannot be bypassed.”
These developments coincide with the authority’s transition to the e-Logbook system, a new digital motor vehicle registration framework designed to completely replace physical, paper-based vehicle logbooks.
The system is scheduled to be operational on June 10, 2026, moving all vehicle ownership, management, and verification services to cloud-based technology.
Under the new arrangement, vehicle owners can view and download their digital logbooks at no cost through the eCitizen portal, eliminating the previous Ksh2,600 fee for physical duplicate or replacement logbooks.
The authority has also indicated that vehicle transfers will be completed within a single working day.
NTSA emphasizes that the e-Logbook will serve as the core of all its interactions via the eCitizen platform. It will automate and provide immediate updates for new vehicle registrations, ownership transfers, vehicle inspection status, and modifications to vehicle particulars such as color changes and engine replacements.
The e-Logbook will also transform roadside vehicle inspections. During traffic stops, enforcement officers will have the capability to scan a QR code or access the NTSA system to immediately verify a vehicle’s details, including the registered owner, existing liens, and other critical records, thereby eliminating the requirement for drivers to physically present a paper logbook.
With approximately three weeks remaining before implementation, NTSA is urging Kenyans to raise any questions they may have in preparation for the nationwide launch.