Drivers on Kenyan roads have often been arrested by traffic police for failing to display a valid insurance sticker. But what does the law say on this?
Section 9 of the Insurance (Motor Vehicle Third Party Risks) Act covers the display and inspection of certificates of insurance. It provides that:
- Drivers or owners must carry and display a certificate of insurance on the vehicle in the prescribed place and manner.
- If an accident occurs, the certificate must be shown to a police officer at the scene or at a police station within 24 hours.
- Failing to display the certificate or provide information to the police is an offence.
From this section of law, it is clear that drivers must display their insurance policies on their vehicle. The subsidiary legislation of the same Act clarifies on the prescribed place and manner [L.N. 92/2019]
- Placement: The certificate must be placed on the left or near side of the motor vehicle, in front of the front seat, and facing either forward or to the nearside of the road.
- Visibility: It should be in a conspicuous and reasonably vertical position behind the glass of the windscreen or nearside window, clearly visible by daylight.
- Motorcycles: For motorcycles, the certificate should be on the left side in a position that does not impede safe riding.
- Replacement: The certificate must be removed upon expiry and replaced with a current one.