Kenya's Kamiti Prison to start producing new car number plates

Kamiti Maximum Prison will soon start manufacturing fourth generation number plates.

Speaking yesterday after inspecting the new machine to be used, Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph ole Lenku said the new plates are expected to cost Sh2,000 more than the current ones.

Mr Lenku said the plates would be linked to different databases to provide a motorist's information in case of a carjacking or any other offence.

"The number plates will help us curb road offences, as they will give you information on the owner of the vehicle thus having the capability of remitting information to Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). That way, we will be able to know what the offence is and what the offender should pay in terms of fines," he said.

Lenku said the newly acquired machines have the capability of producing 100,000 plates a year, adding that plans are underway to work with the Transport Ministry to roll out the project as soon as possible.

"We want all the number plates in the country to change to the new ones with all the security features in place. It is time we made sure that fines do not go to individual pockets but straight to KRA," he said.

He noted that for anyone willing to have their plates customised, it would cost them between Sh1 million and Sh2 million.