Kenya is set to phase out physical motor vehicle logbooks in a landmark digital transformation that promises to cut fraud, eliminate bureaucratic delays, and modernise the country’s vehicle registration system.
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) announced that it will officially roll out the electronic motor vehicle registration certificate, dubbed the eLogbook, on June 10, marking the end of decades of reliance on paper-based logbooks.
Speaking at the 3rd Annual Regulatory Authorities and Agencies Conference at South Eastern Kenya University, NTSA Director General Nashon Kondiwa said the shift is part of a broader government strategy to digitise transport services and improve efficiency.
“We are not only bringing services closer to wananchi by enabling them to access their logbooks electronically, but we are also eliminating bureaucracy and cartels,” Kondiwa stated.
Under the new system, vehicle owners will access their logbooks through the government’s eCitizen platform, eliminating the need for printed certificates and lengthy waiting periods. The eLogbook will be generated instantly once a vehicle is registered or ownership transferred, significantly reducing turnaround times for motorists, financiers, and dealers.
The digital document will feature encrypted security systems and QR code verification technology to curb fraud linked to fake or altered logbooks. Banks, insurers, and prospective buyers will be able to verify ownership details instantly by scanning the embedded QR code.
The eLogbook will integrate directly with insurance, inspection, and public service vehicle compliance systems, allowing law enforcement agencies to verify vehicle status in real time. Police officers and inspection units will be able to confirm ownership details, insurance validity, inspection records, and stolen vehicle alerts instantly.
NTSA says the reforms will also lower operational costs by eliminating printing, physical storage, and courier expenses. Vehicle owners will no longer incur replacement charges for lost logbooks, as copies can be downloaded directly from their eCitizen accounts at no cost.
For banks and Saccos, the eLogbook is expected to streamline vehicle financing processes by enabling lenders to digitally verify ownership and lien status. Financial institutions will also be able to register and discharge interests electronically, reducing the risk of vehicles being sold without financiers’ knowledge.
The system will create a centralised digital repository tracking a vehicle’s entire lifecycle — from registration and ownership transfers to inspections and deregistration. Every change will be time-stamped and cryptographically secured, creating what NTSA describes as an immutable audit trail.
While industry players welcome the move as a boost to efficiency in Kenya’s fast-growing automotive market, analysts caution that success will depend on public awareness, cybersecurity safeguards, and stable internet access across the country. NTSA says it has already established support systems, training programmes, and technical desks to ensure a smooth transition.
The rollout reflects Kenya’s broader push to digitise public services under the eCitizen platform, which has become the primary gateway for accessing government services ranging from business registration to tax compliance.