Nairobi, Feb. 22 -- The government has fallen behind in producing more than 70,000 number plates for motor vehicles, three-wheelers (tuk-tuks) and motorcycles, hitting dealers and consumers who in some cases have resorted to printing the plates on papers.

Without number plates, dealers are not able to sell vehicles since motorists need them to operate on the road.

Financiers led by banks also insist on properly registered vehicles before they fund their purchases in a market where most buyers rely on credit for such high-value transactions.

The biggest shortage is for motorcycles where the accumulated number plates deficit has hit 51,000, according to assemblers of the two-wheelers.

The shortage for new motor vehicles is running at 7,...