Car dealers and importers hit hard by Matiang’i’s orders

The new rules announced by the government in an attempt to manage the sector would be particularly harsh on used car dealers and importers of motor vehicles.

Though Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i’s measures appear to be an attempt to systematize the business, their goal is to eliminate dealers who have turned it into a criminal enterprise.

Because Kenya lacks a standardized automobile dealer register, anyone with money can import and sell a car.

Dealerships are not compelled to reveal their customers’ identities or the source of funds used to make

purchases.

With the exception of licenses provided by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and a restriction prohibiting the entry of vehicles older than eight years, the second-hand car business, which accounts for 90% of the market, has largely been left unregulated.

Because the sellers aren’t thoroughly inspected, some employ fraudulent methods to register imported vehicles, further aggravating the situation.

Con artists, drug dealers, and corrupt public servants have filled the country with vehicles, usually buying them in cash and then selling them to clean up the spoils of their crimes.

“Motor vehicle/motorcycle dealers must undergo fresh licensing by the NTSA by April 1. Dealers who qualify will be issued digital licensing cards. existing licenses will stand revoked at the expiry of the period” Dr. Matiang’i said.

The CS also ordered that car sellers be vetted and that the use of KG plates be prohibited by the end of March. X number plates were immediately outlawed.

“KG number plates must be surrendered to NTSA. Existing plates will be rendered obsolete by the end of the period” he said.