Kenya To Further Reduce Age Of Re-Used Car Imports

The price of second-hand car imports could soon increase as the government considers reducing the age limit for used cars.

The plan is based on efforts to boost the support for local car assemblies as more car manufacturers establish their operations in the country.

A proposal to restrict imported cars to eight years was introduced in Uganda but was vehemently opposed in Parliament by car importers who put profits above environmental sustainability and employment opportunities.

Speaking at the opening of spare parts manufacturing plant Autosprings East Africa, Adan Mohamed, CS Industrialisation said the government will create a policy to reduce the age limit from the current eight years to enable domestic assemblers to compete favourably.

“We need to change the motor vehicle entry program for second-hand vehicles into our country to make sure that the age of vehicles coming here is much shorter than it currently is,” Mohamed said. “I know it’s a sensitive issue and that people need cars to get from one point to another.”

Second-hand cars are attractive to Kenyans because of their affordability.