A total of 4,700 vehicles were registered within a week as car owners rushed to meet the National Transport and Safety Authority’s (NTSA) deadline to avoid fines of up to Sh300,000.

The directive aimed at curbing the number of unregistered vehicles on Kenyan roads came with a stern warning that non-compliant vehicles would be banned from use.

Cosmas Ngeso, the NTSA's director of registration and licensing, revealed the figures as the two-week window closed.

"We have registered 4,700 motor vehicles since the deadline was issued. NTSA does not have the exact estimate of unregistered vehicles since the applications have not been lodged into the motor vehicle registration portal," Ngeso stated.

The agency reminded the public of penalties under the Traffic Act, which prohibits driving vehicles without registration or number plates.

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Offenders face a fine of up to Sh300,000, imprisonment for up to 12 months, or both.

The crackdown is part of efforts to address security concerns linked to unregistered vehicles, which have been associated with crimes such as terrorism, kidnappings, and robberies.

Law enforcement has also raised alarms over the misuse of temporary "KD" (Kenya Dealers) plates, many of which are fake or improperly used outside their permitted hours of 6 am to 6 pm.

Despite fears of mass impoundments, NTSA has not disclosed its next steps but assured the public it is closely monitoring the situation.

The vehicles registered during the rush represent just a fraction of the total registered between January and September, excluding motorcycles and three-wheelers.

Car dealers, meanwhile, have called for clearer guidelines and better cooperation with authorities, accusing NTSA of enabling the rise of unregistered vehicles.

The last-minute scramble underscores the pressure on car owners to comply with the law, with many acting swiftly to avoid the hefty fines and legal risks.