Kenya Number Plates Explained: What the Letters and Numbers Mean

Kenyan Number Plate Format

Standard Kenyan vehicle registration plates follow the format KXX 000X — where K stands for Kenya, followed by two letters, three numbers, and a final letter. For example: KDG 456A.

The system is administered by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and has been in use since 2004 (the "K" series).

Understanding the Prefix

The "K" Prefix

All civilian vehicles registered in Kenya start with the letter K. The second and third letters indicate the registration series:

• KA through KZ: The earliest series (2004 onwards)
• KAA through KAZ: Extended series
• KBA, KBB, etc.: Further extensions as earlier series were exhausted

As of 2026, registrations have reached the KD extended series.

The Number Sequence

The three digits (001 – 999) are assigned sequentially within each letter series.

The Final Letter

The trailing letter (A – Z) further extends each numeric sequence, giving each series up to 25,974 possible combinations.

Special Plate Types

Government Vehicles (GK)

Plates beginning with GK (Government of Kenya) are assigned to national government vehicles. These are white plates with red text.

Diplomatic Vehicles

• Blue plates with white text: Diplomatic corps
• Format: XX CD XXXX where CD = Corps Diplomatique
• Specific country codes identify the embassy

Military Vehicles

Kenya Defence Forces vehicles use plates starting with KA (Kenya Army), KN (Kenya Navy), or KAF (Kenya Air Force) on military-green plates.

Parastatals

Government parastatals and state corporations may use specific series assigned to their organisation.

County Registration Codes

While the number plate itself does not directly encode the county of registration, the NTSA records which office processed the registration. Major registration offices include:

• Nairobi — Processes the majority of registrations
• Mombasa — Second largest registration centre
• Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret — Regional centres

Decoding a Number Plate

Want to know what a plate tells you about a vehicle? Try the KenyaHub Number Plate Decoder which:

• Identifies the registration series and approximate year
• Shows the type of vehicle (private, commercial, government)
• Explains the prefix meaning

Rules and Regulations

Under the Traffic Act (Cap 403) and NTSA regulations:

• All motor vehicles must display number plates at the front and rear
• Plates must be clearly legible and properly illuminated at night
• Defaced, altered, or obscured plates are a traffic offence
• Personalised/vanity plates are not available in Kenya

For a complete list of traffic offences and fines, see the KenyaHub Traffic Fines Guide.