Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) in a memo, has vowed to maintain its stance on the eight-year rule for imported used cars, setting the stage for a possible shoot in car prices. – By Gerald Gekara.
The standards body gave importers up to December 31st, to clear all 2013 registered vehicles, saying any car arriving from January 1st 2021, will be labelled unroadworthy.
“We wish to notify all importers of used/second motor vehicles including returning residents, diplomatic staff and the general public that in observance of clause 2.5 of KS 1515:2000 on the 8 (eight) year age limit requirement in the standard, only Right Hand Drive (RHD) motor vehicles whose Year of First Registration is from 1st January 2014 and later shall be allowed into the country effective from 1st January 2021,” KEBS said.
Car importers have been begging the state to give them more time, citing already pending orders and market prices.
The move to cap imports has been imposed to restrict importers from ‘duping’ unroadworthy vehicles into the country, and also to promote local assembly plants.
Currently, vehicles of up to 2013, can be imported into the country and are deemed roadworthy. However, under the new regulations, only vehicles from 2014 onwards will be eligible for import.
Consumers will now be forced to dig deeper into their pockets if they want to purchase a vehicle from international manufacturers.
