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 year 2025 was marked by an unprecedented velocity of innovation in the automotive industry . Driven by the mandate for electrification , autonomy , and digitalization, engineering teams across the globe delivered breakthroughs that were once considered years away. As a special Christmas Eve treat, we present our list of the Top 5 Technological Achievements of the year—the innovations that permanently moved the needle on performance, safety, and efficiency. 1. Solid-State Battery Commercialization Readiness This is arguably the most impactful achievement of the year. While mass-market adoption remains a future goal, 2025 was the year Solid-State Battery (SSB) technology moved from the laboratory to the production development floor. The Breakthrough: Major players like Toyota, Factorial Energy (with Stellantis), and various Chinese innovators successfully validated large-format, high-density SSB cells in test vehicles. The Achievement: These prototypes achieved a verified e...