Wilfred Bosire, leader of the Mass Mobility Operators Association, challenged the National Transport and Safety Authority’s (NTSA) practice of removing vehicle number plates during a KBC panel on 3 November.

Bosire argued that plates are being taken from vehicles that show no mechanical defect, urging the authority to focus on driver accountability rather than penalising owners.

He warned that high traffic fines encourage motorists and officers to resort to bribery, undermining the broader road‑safety enforcement system.

The criticism echoes earlier accusations from the Federation of Public Transport Sector in 2023, which claimed NTSA and traffic police pressured drivers to pay KSh 5,000‑10,000 bribes over minor defects used to justify plate removal.

NTSA maintains that plates are only removed after mechanical engineers certify a vehicle as unfit, a step intended to keep defective vehicles off the road.

The authority adds that driving without number plates incurs four demerit points under the Traffic Act, reinforcing its deterrent intent.

The remarks came as NTSA intensified its nationwide Msimu Bila Ajali Usalama Barabarani campaign, targeting uninsured, unlicensed and drunk drivers, with a particular focus on nighttime operations.

Bosire also highlighted the upcoming December holiday period as a high‑risk time, noting increased inter‑city travel and potentially reckless behaviour by hired‑vehicle drivers.

The debate over plate removal, fines and corruption‑free enforcement is expected to continue as NTSA sustains pressure on errant motorists through the festive season.