08/07/2024
The History of Vehicle Registration in Kenya
**1920-1989**
The first vehicle registration series in Kenya began in 1920, with each of the 14 registration districts assigned a single letter:
- N = Kiambu
- E = Kisumu
- J = Kitale
- B, H, T, W = Nairobi
- A = Mombasa
- C = Nakuru
- D = Kericho
- F = Eldoret
- G = Nyeri
- K = Muranga
- L = Kisii
- Q = Machakos
- S = Lamu
- V = Isiolo
- Y = Nanyuki
The exact date of the first vehicle registration in Kenya is unknown. It is noteworthy that Meru District was not considered significant enough to be a registration center.
**1989-2007**
Following the completion of the KZZ 999 series, the second registration series commenced in 1989, starting from KAA 001A to KAZ 999Z. Each combination of the three letters allowed for 23,976 registration units, meaning the entire series would account for about 575,524 vehicles. The letters KAF, KAO, and KAI were omitted. This series lasted 17 years.
**2007-2014**
After KAZ 999Z, the third registration series began in 2007, running from KBA 001A to KBZ 999Z. During this period, 575,524 vehicles were registered over 7 years, reflecting the economic turnaround during President Kibaki's administration.
**2014-2020**
With the completion of the KBZ 999Z series, the fourth registration series started in 2014, running from KCA 001A to KCZ 999Z. This series took 6 years to complete, finishing in September 2020.
**2020 to Present**
After the completion of KCZ 999Z in September 2020, the fifth registration series started, running from KDA 001A to KDZ 999Z. It appears that the KD series will take longer to complete due to high vehicle costs driven by steep taxation and the depreciation of the Kenyan Shilling, which are slowing vehicle importation.
Currently, registrations have reached KDQ.
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