Importing a vehicle into Kenya remains one of the most popular ways for individuals, businesses, ride-share operators, and fleet managers to acquire reliable, cost-effective cars—especially in a market where new-vehicle prices often exceed KSh 5–10 million for popular SUVs and saloons. In 2026, the process is tightly regulated by three core authorities: the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) for customs valuation and taxation, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) for pre-shipment conformity and age/roadworthiness compliance, and the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) for final registration and road-use approval. The landscape shifted significantly at the start of 2026. Effective January 1, 2026, KEBS enforced a stricter interpretation of the long-standing eight-year age limit under KS 1515:2000 (Code of Practice for Inspection of Road Vehicles) and Legal Notice No. 78 of 2020. Only Right-Hand Drive (RHD) vehicles whose year of first registration is January 1, 2019, or late...
The greatest constraint on the future of the automotive industry is no longer manufacturing capacity or mineral supply; it is the skills gap . The shift to electric and autonomous, software-defined vehicles (SDVs) has transformed the ideal employee profile from a mechanical engineer to an AI specialist, data scientist, or embedded software developer . The challenge? These professionals are already highly sought after by Silicon Valley tech giants and FinTech startups, which often offer higher salaries, better flexibility, and a more compelling "tech culture." To win the future, the automotive industry must completely rethink its recruitment strategy , offering more than just a paycheck. I. The Shift in Required Skills: Code over Chrome The demand for software engineers is projected to grow exponentially through 2030, driven by key functional areas: Autonomous Driving (AD/ADAS): Requiring expertise in Computer Vision, Sensor Fusion, and Machine Learning (ML) for percepti...