Kenyan Motorists Warned of KD Number plate scam
Kenyan motorists have been warned of a growing scam involving KD number plates which are issued as temporary registration plates for newly purchased cars waiting for their permanent NTSA registration.
The KD plates (short for Kenyan Driver) allow vehicles to be on the road legally during the waiting period. But gaps in awareness about their regulations have created a loophole that unscrupulous brokers are exploiting to defraud new car owners.
The Broker Trap
Many unsuspecting buyers are falling into traps laid by brokers who pose as legitimate intermediaries. Some motorists have been charged daily rental fees for KD plates—plates that often lack valid insurance coverage. In such cases should an accident occur the driver is left exposed as their vehicle technically lacks valid insurance protection.
A recent case highlights how a car buyer discovered she had unknowingly driven for months without proper coverage. Having paid for comprehensive insurance when buying her car she later realized the broker had instead insured the KD plate itself. Once her permanent plates were issued her so called “cover” expired in weeks—leaving her with almost no protection.
“I thought the insurance I paid for covered my car but instead it was tied to the temporary KD plate which I only used for two weeks,” she explained. Shocked she only uncovered the fraud after being flagged down by traffic police.
Duplicate Plates and False Insurance
Another tactic used by rogue brokers is to issue the same KD plate to multiple buyers. Victims are often told NTSA is delaying their permanent registration so they have to continue paying rental charges for these questionable plates.
Some buyers have also been duped into accepting insurance stickers tied to KD plates rather than the vehicle itself making their cover void in case of accidents.
Safety Measures for Car Owners
Authorities and industry experts are urging new car buyers to be vigilant. Key recommendations are:
- Verify insurance coverage: Always confirm the insurance applies to the vehicle not the temporary plate.
- Deal with trusted firms: Buy insurance from established providers not middlemen.
- Cross-check NTSA authorisation: Ensure KD plates are legally issued and not reused fraudulently.
Motorists have also been advised they can independently arrange insurance directly with reputable companies and bypass shady dealers altogether.
With the scams now spreading consumer awareness is the best defense against falling prey to fake KD plate schemes.
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Kenyan Motorists Warned of KD Number plate scam