Mwash Cyber

So you just shook hands on a car deal — a nice clean Subaru or a hardworking Probox, and you’re ready to hit the road. But wait. NTSA wants its pound of flesh. That’s right: vehicle transfer fees. The question now is: who foots the bill? The buyer, the seller, or some mysterious third party from the shadows

Let’s clear the air.

First Things First: What are NTSA Vehicle Transfer Fees?

In Kenya, once a vehicle changes hands, you’re supposed to officially transfer the ownership on the NTSA eCitizen portal. That’s how the buyer becomes the new legal owner.

NTSA charges a vehicle transfer fee, which varies based on the vehicle’s engine capacity and type — the bigger the engine, the deeper you dig into your pocket. It’s a government fee, not a bribe, so you’ve got to pay it. There’s also an excise duty or tax if you’re importing, but that’s a whole other animal.

Who’s Legally Required to Pay NTSA Vehicle Transfer Fees?

Here’s the twist — Kenyan law doesn’t clearly say who must pay the vehicle transfer fees. Yep, it’s not legally fixed. The NTSA just wants the money. So it boils down to…

A Matter of Agreement Between Buyer and Seller

In most real-life cases in Kenya:

• The buyer pays the vehicle transfer fees.
• Why? Because they’re the one who needs the car to be under their name. If the car remains under the seller’s name, they’re the ones who’ll be summoned for speeding tickets and unpaid parking fees in Eldoret even if they live in Kitengela.

But again, this is all negotiable.

Sometimes:

• The seller agrees to pay, especially if they’re desperate to close the deal quickly.
• Or they split the cost.
• Or they build the transfer fee into the final sale price (clever ones do this without telling you).

Here’s a classic breakdown:

Situation	Who Typically Pays
Buyer is desperate to own the car	Buyer pays
Seller wants a clean, quick deal	Seller may pay
Corporate or high-value car sales	Often split or negotiated
Vehicle sold “as-is” with logbook	Buyer almost always pays

Real-Life Hack: Put It in Writing!

Always — and I mean always — include this detail in your sale agreement:

“Buyer to cater for transfer fee” or “Seller agrees to handle transfer and pay applicable fee.”

No one wants drama at NTSA because someone went ghost after Mpesa-ing the cash. Your agreement is your backup plan when people start “catching amnesia.”

How Much Are We Talking?

Check oit how much you are supposed to pay for vehicle transfer using Ntsa Transfer Charges Calculator

So if you’re buying a V8 Land Cruiser, don’t expect it to cost the same as a TVS boda boda. NTSA isn’t running a charity.

What If No One Pays?

Simple. The vehicle remains under the seller’s name — and all the mess that comes with it:

• Seller gets summoned for accidents they didn’t cause.
• Buyer can’t legally sell the car later.
• NTSA flags the car as “Pending Transfer.”
• You can’t apply for services like NTSA smart driving license renewals, logbook copies, or insurance changes.

Bottom line: no transfer = no peace.

Conclusion: Talk It Out and Sort It Out

Don’t assume. Don’t guess. Don’t say, “Ah, I thought we’d figure that later.”
Figure it before money changes hands. Just like fuel, transfer fees are part of the total cost of ownership.

Pro Tip from the Cyber

If you’re a buyer, just budget for the transfer fee. It saves arguments, wasted time, and ugly scenes.

One last word?
Whether you’re buying a beast or a jalopy, remember: a handshake is nice, but a signed agreement and cleared NTSA transfer are priceless.

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