Kenya’s Cabinet has sanctioned the introduction of second-generation smart driving licenses, a move intended to modernize the nation’s transport system and improve road safety. The rollout will occur under a public-private partnership, aiming for enhanced efficiency and compliance.
These advanced licenses will integrate several key features. They include an instant fine system, a mobile license wallet, and a comprehensive driver merit and demerit points framework. This integration seeks to streamline enforcement and strengthen licensing management.
The new chip-based cards will securely store essential driver information, including personal data, traffic offense records, and digital signatures. This technological upgrade is designed to boost security, refine data management, and modernize both enforcement practices and license renewal processes.
Officials will transfer the issuance and management of these smart driving licenses from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to a private investor. This shift is a direct result of the Cabinet’s approval of the new public-private partnership framework.
The decision follows persistent implementation hurdles encountered by the NTSA. The authority has struggled to effectively scale the issuance of chip-embedded licenses since the initiative’s inception in 2017.
This transfer to private sector involvement aims to accelerate deployment and reduce operational bottlenecks. It also seeks to align Kenya’s driver licensing regulations with international best practices in road safety and digital governance.
The smart driving license program commenced in 2017 through a $21.09 million contract. However, as of June 2025, the NTSA had issued approximately 2.1 million smart driving licenses, falling short of its initial target of 5 million. The digital transformation also facilitates real-time license verification and automated fine issuance, building on previous efforts to digitize driver records.
