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...
I. Introduction: Your Car as an Investment Most assets appreciate; cars depreciate. However, in the Kenyan market, this rule is often bent, especially for high-demand, reliable models. The rate at which your car loses value is one of the largest, yet least planned, costs of ownership. A car with high resale value acts as a shield, returning a larger portion of your initial investment. This guide breaks down the unique factors that influence depreciation in Kenya and identifies the car models that are essentially 'money in the bank' versus those that become financial burdens over time. II. Key Factors Driving Depreciation in Kenya While global factors like age and mileage apply, the Kenyan market is heavily skewed by specific local dynamics: 1. Spares Availability and Mechanic Familiarity (The Toyota Factor) Impact: Massive. The easier a car is to fix and the cheaper its spare parts, the slower it depreciates. Brands with vast local parts networks ( Toyota, Nissan, Su...