When you move around Kenyan roads, including big cities and towns, you are likely to encounter vehicles with red number plates.

This number plates bears a varying combination which include ’29 CD 1 K’ or ’40 UN’, which are often seen on high-end vehicles that belong to foreign embassies, international organizations, or diplomatic personnel stationed in Kenya.

The allocation of these diplomatic number plates in Kenya follows a certain structure and international protocol.

In Kenya, diplomatic number plates are red in color and are specially designated for use by foreign embassies and high commissions, United Nations (UN) agencies, and also international and regional organizations such as the African Union (AU).

These plates follow a format of a numerical code, followed by the letters CD or UN, and ending with the letter K — for example, 1 CD 12 K or 40 UN.

The initial number (e.g., “1” in 1 CD 12 K) represents the code of the country or organization.

This code was assigned based on the chronological order in which countries recognized Kenya’s independence in 1963 and established diplomatic missions.

Letters “CD” or “UN”

CD stands for Corps Diplomatique (Diplomatic Corps), used for embassies and high commissions.

UN represents the United Nations bodies and agencies.

Meanwhile, the middle number (e.g., “12” in 1 CD 12 K) indicates the rank of the official or vehicle within the diplomatic mission.

For example, the ambassador or high commissioner typically uses “1”, showing the highest rank.

The letter “K” represents Kenya.

How Codes Are Assigned

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) assign these numbers with respect to diplomatic history recognized by Kenya.

For instance,1 CD represents Germany, which was the first to recognize Kenya. The Russian Federation was the second, while Ethiopia came third, and as such, the two nations use number plates starting with 2 CD and 3 CD, respectively.

On the other hand, the United States of America, on its part, uses the code number 29 for its vehicles in the country.

Newer diplomatic missions and organizations established later have higher codes, such as 123 CD – United Arab Emirates and 116 CD – Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.

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Examples of Plate Interpretations

22 CD 1 K – “22” is the code for the United Kingdom, “CD” indicates it is a diplomatic vehicle, “1” shows it is used by the British High Commissioner, and “K” means it is registered in Kenya. This plate belongs to the highest-ranking UK diplomatic official in the country.

Current Diplomat Number Plates 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

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• 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

However, diplomatic plates do not exempt drivers from Kenyan traffic laws as there is a special Diplomat Police Unit to deal with them when they violate traffic rules.

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Vehicle with Diplomat Number plate for representation. PHOTO/Courtesy