The era of carrying paper motor vehicle logbooks in Kenya is slowly coming to an end after the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) announced plans to introduce a fully digital logbook system for all motorists.
In a public notice issued on Tuesday, the authority confirmed that it will replace the current paper-based motor vehicle registration certificate with a new electronic version known as the eLogbook.
The new system is expected to officially take effect on June 10, 2026, marking one of the biggest changes in Kenya’s transport sector in recent years.
According to NTSA, the move is part of ongoing reforms aimed at modernising transport services, reducing delays, and improving access to government services through technology.
“Over the past five years, the Authority has made significant strides in digital transformation and road safety reform initiatives. These efforts are designed to modernise operations, enhance service delivery, and significantly improve road safety across the country,” NTSA stated.
The authority added that the digital shift is expected to eliminate paperwork and reduce the long queues and delays that many motorists experience while seeking registration services.
“As part of this ongoing transformation, the Authority is pleased to announce plans to replace the current paper-based Certificate of Registration (logbook) with a secure, convenient digital version (eLogbook). This transition marks a major milestone in the Authority’s commitment to providing efficient, paperless, and citizen-centred services,” the notice added.
Under the new system, vehicle owners will be able to access their logbooks online through the eCitizen platform. Users will also be able to download, verify, and share the documents digitally without visiting NTSA offices.
The authority said the eLogbook will be integrated into several services, including transfer of ownership, vehicle inspections, change of vehicle details, and registration of new vehicles.
“The new eLogbook will be fully integrated into all motor vehicle registration processes, which include new vehicle registration, transfer of ownership, change of particulars, inspection, and other related transactions. Vehicle owners will access, view, download, and verify their digital logbooks through the eCitizen platform at their convenience,” NTSA announced.
The transition is expected to significantly cut down service delivery timelines. Currently, some vehicle registration services take between three and seven days, while others can take weeks or even months due to paperwork and verification processes.
NTSA now says some of these services will be processed instantly once the digital system becomes fully operational.
Fake logbooks
The authority believes the new system will also help reduce cases of fake logbooks, document tampering, and loss of records. In recent years, fraud involving forged motor vehicle documents has become a major concern, especially during vehicle ownership transfers and loan financing processes.
Banks, insurance firms, car dealers, and traffic enforcement agencies are also expected to benefit from the real-time verification system that will come with the eLogbook platform.
NTSA further noted that the digitisation process is aimed at reducing physical visits to its offices, a move that could help fight corruption and middlemen who often take advantage of motorists seeking services.
“This initiative aims to eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy, minimise physical visits to NTSA offices, enhance transparency, reduce opportunities for corruption, and significantly improve the user experience for the public,” the authority stated.
To prepare Kenyans for the transition, NTSA has organised a series of virtual training and sensitisation sessions for stakeholders, including transport operators, vehicle dealers, insurance companies, county governments, diplomats, legal professionals, financial institutions, and members of the public.
The online sessions are scheduled to take place between June 2 and June 4, 2026.
Interested participants have been advised to register through the official NTSA website before May 20, 2026.
The rollout of the eLogbook now places Kenya among African countries increasingly adopting digital public services as governments move to reduce paperwork and improve efficiency through technology-driven systems.
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