Motorists Association Rejects NTSA eLogbook Fees, Terms Charges Double Payment for Vehicle Owners

Motorists Association Rejects NTSA eLogbook Fees, Terms Charges Double Payment for Vehicle Owners

The Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK) has strongly opposed the National Transport and Safety Authority’s (NTSA) decision to charge vehicle owners for the issuance and processing of electronic logbooks, arguing that the move amounts to double payment for a service motorists have already funded through taxes and previous registration fees.

In a statement released on Friday, June 12, the association criticized the introduction of eLogbook-related charges, describing them as unjustified, unreasonable, and an additional financial burden on Kenyan motorists at a time when the cost of living remains a major concern.

The dispute comes just days after NTSA rolled out new guidelines governing the transition to electronic logbooks as part of its broader digital transformation programme aimed at modernising vehicle registration and ownership records.

However, MAK argues that while digital services are welcome and necessary, motorists should not be forced to incur additional costs for the transition.

“Kenyans pay taxes with the legitimate expectation that government services will be delivered efficiently and without repeated charges for the same product,” the association stated.

According to MAK, vehicle owners already paid the required fees when registering their vehicles and obtaining physical logbooks. The association therefore contends that charging motorists again for digital versions of the same ownership documents effectively amounts to paying twice for a single service.

The association further claimed that the move reflects a growing trend where government agencies introduce new fees under the guise of modernization and digitization without adequately considering the financial impact on ordinary citizens.

“This is unjustified, unreasonable and amounts to yet another form of backdoor taxation and institutionalised extortion of motorists,” MAK said.

The association noted that motorists have over the years borne an increasing number of costs, including fuel taxes, road maintenance levies, insurance requirements, vehicle inspection fees, and licensing charges. It argued that additional costs linked to eLogbooks risk worsening the financial burden faced by vehicle owners across the country.

The debate emerges as NTSA continues implementing reforms designed to digitize transport services and reduce reliance on paper-based records.

Earlier this week, the authority clarified that existing printed logbooks would not automatically be converted into electronic logbooks. Instead, eLogbooks would only be generated upon application, payment, and completion of relevant motor vehicle registration processes.

NTSA also announced that eLogbooks would be accessible exclusively through personal accounts on the NTSA Service Portal, allowing registered vehicle owners to download and verify their documents electronically.

The authority has defended the transition as a crucial step towards improving efficiency, reducing fraud, and enhancing the security of vehicle ownership records.

Under the new framework, NTSA says motorists will be able to verify the authenticity of eLogbooks through official digital platforms while minimizing risks associated with forged ownership documents.

The authority has also warned the public against sharing personal information with third parties claiming to facilitate eLogbook processing, emphasizing that no agents have been authorized to provide such services on its behalf.

Despite the assurances, MAK insists that transparency is needed regarding the fees associated with the digital transition.

The association is now calling on NTSA and the Ministry of Transport to review the charges and engage stakeholders before fully implementing the programme. According to the lobby group, technological advancement should not become an avenue for introducing new costs to motorists who are already contributing significantly to government revenue.

Industry observers note that the disagreement highlights a broader challenge facing government digitization initiatives—balancing efficiency and modernization with affordability and public acceptance.

As the eLogbook rollout gathers momentum, attention is likely to focus on whether the government will reconsider the fees or maintain its current position. For thousands of motorists across Kenya, the outcome could determine not only the cost of accessing vehicle ownership records but also public confidence in ongoing efforts to digitize government services.

The controversy is expected to fuel further debate over service charges, taxation, and the cost of digital transformation in Kenya’s transport sector.

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Motorists Association Rejects NTSA eLogbook Fees, Terms Charges Double Payment for Vehicle Owners