The first vehicle registration in Kenya was done in 1920 when colonial masters adopted a rather simple numbering system.
Back then, motor vehicles were registered by their district numbering, which were according to the letters given by colonial masters.
Presently, number plate registration is in various designations including civilian, National Government, County Government, Diplomats and International organisations.
Civilian number plates are the most common since they are used by the majority of the people who own cars.
Civilian number plates are white at the front and yellow at the back, and all have a black colour on the letters.
These number plates begin with the letter ‘K’ as an indication that the motor vehicle was registered in Kenya, and its details logged by the government.
The second category of number plate designation is the national government that assumed the letters ‘GK’ as primary identifiers for all its vehicles.
State vehicles assume the letter ‘A’ after the letters GK, to show that the motor vehicle is registered by the State, and not any other entity.
All vehicles registered by the State use the number plate ‘GKA’ as a mark of identifying initials.
GKA numbers plates are used by all State corporations, parastatals and national government departments and dockets.
However, GKB is designated to the Kenya National Police Services which is largely considered an independent portfolio.
GKB numbers are available on motor vehicles operated by the National Police Service including Presidential escorts and chase cars.
The third level number plate designation is on County Government vehicles that bear the initials “GVN” followed by the county code, in case the car is operated by the Office of the Governor.
The rest of the County Government vehicles use “CG” as the official initials for their registration.
Ordinarily, number plates are a status symbol that does set people apart in society, but they sometimes go beyond what you think or believe.
In some instances, there are car owners who have gone to the extent of customising number plates by their names in a way that distinguishes them from other motorists.
Number plate customisation is largely done by the government so as to ensure that various departments and levels of governance are distinctive and identifiable.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE
