DIPLOMATIC NUMBER PLATE CODES IN KENYA — EXPLAINED

Have you ever spotted a red number plate with “CD” or “UN” on Kenyan roads and wondered what it means?

Kenya issues distinctive red number plates to diplomatic missions and international organisations accredited to the country. These plates are not random — they carry specific codes that identify the country or organisation represented.

HOW TO READ A DIPLOMATIC PLATE

Example: 77 CD 1K

• 77 → Country or organisation code
• CD → Corps Diplomatique (Diplomatic Mission)
• 1 → Rank/sequence of the vehicle (often the Ambassador’s car)
• K → Vehicle registered in Kenya

The country codes were assigned in the order in which countries recognized Kenya’s independence or established diplomatic relations.

These identifiers help:
• Law enforcement agencies
• NTSA
• Other government departments
to easily identify and regulate diplomatic vehicles.

To improve service delivery, the Government of Kenya established the GoK–UN Service Centre in Gigiri, allowing diplomats to access NTSA and other government services under one roof.

CURRENT DIPLOMATIC & UN NUMBER PLATE CODES IN KENYA

CD – Diplomatic Missions
• 1 CD – Germany
• 2 CD – Russian Federation
• 3 CD – Ethiopia
• 4 CD – China
• 5 CD – Norway
• 6 CD – Hungary
• 7 CD – Egypt
• 8 CD – Serbia
• 9 CD – Italy
• 10 CD – France
• 11 CD – Slovakia
• 12 CD – Denmark
• 13 CD – Japan
• 14 CD – Sudan
• 15 CD – Austria
• 16 CD – India
• 17 CD – Australia
• 18 CD – Canada
• 19 CD – Holy See (Vatican)
• 20 CD – Finland
• 21 CD – Switzerland
• 22 CD – United Kingdom
• 23 CD – Liberia
• 24 CD – Israel
• 25 CD – Nigeria
• 26 CD – Ghana
• 27 CD – Netherlands
• 28 CD – Malawi
• 29 CD – United States of America
• 30 CD – Belgium
• 31 CD – Sweden
• 32 CD – Pakistan
• 33 CD – Poland
• 34 CD – Korea
• 35 CD – Bulgaria
• 36 CD – Greece
• 37 CD – Cuba
• 38 CD – Kuwait
• 39 CD – Spain
• 45 CD – Romania
• 46 CD – Thailand
• 47 CD – African Union
• 48 CD – Colombia
• 49 CD – India
• 50 CD – Somalia
• 51 CD – Brazil
• 52 CD – Turkey
• 53 CD – Lesotho
• 54 CD – Zambia
• 55 CD – Madagascar
• 56 CD – Malaysia
• 57 CD – DR Congo
• 58 CD – Eswatini
• 59 CD – Sri Lanka
• 60 CD – Iraq
• 61 CD – Rwanda
• 64 CD – Iran
• 65 CD – Cyprus
• 66 CD – Argentina
• 68 CD – Philippines
• 69 CD – Burundi
• 70 CD – Chile
• 71 CD – Oman
• 72 CD – Arab League
• 73 CD – European Union
• 74 CD – Yemen
• 75 CD – Kenya Mission to UNEP
• 76 CD – Côte d’Ivoire (Consulate)
• 77 CD – Bangladesh
• 78 CD – Saudi Arabia
• 80 CD – Libya
• 81 CD – Ireland (Consulate)
• 83 CD – Algeria
• 84 CD – Palestine
• 85 CD – Uganda
• 86 CD – Mexico
• 87 CD – Morocco
• 88 CD – Costa Rica (Consulate)
• 89 CD – Gabon (Consulate)
• 91 CD – Indonesia
• 92 CD – Portugal
• 93 CD – Venezuela
• 94 CD – Zimbabwe
• 95 CD – ICAO
• 96 CD – Asian Development Bank
• 97 CD – Tanzania (Jirani waited for over 90 countries to recognize us)
• 99 CD – Peru
• 100 CD – IFC
• 101 CD – UNEP (Norwegian Mission)
• 102 CD – Mozambique
• 103 CD – South Africa
• 104 CD – Eritrea
• 106 CD – Czech Republic
• 107 CD – Aga Khan
• 115 CD – Ukraine
• 116 CD – Sahrawi
• 117 CD – Djibouti
• 118 CD – Sierra Leone
• 121 CD – South Sudan

UN – United Nations & Agencies
• 40 UN – UNDP
• 41 UN – WHO
• 42 UN – UNESCO
• 43 UN – World Bank (IBRD)
• 44 UN – FAO
• 45 UN – WFP
• 62 UN – UNHCR
• 63 UN – UNICEF (ESARO)
• 67 UN – UNIC
• 79 UN – UN-Habitat
• 82 UN – UN-Habitat (Kenya Mission)
• 90 UN – UNICEF Kenya
• 105 UN – UNON
• 108 UN – UNFPA
• 110 UN – UNIDO

Important Note

Diplomatic plates do not exempt drivers from Kenyan traffic laws. They are identification tools — not a licence for unsafe driving.

Knowledge is power. Next time you spot a red plate, you’ll know exactly what you’re looking at.