Stern action to be taken against officials importing luxury vehicles for government use – PS Kibicho - Capital Business
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Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho said the move is in line with the president’s directive made early this year, requiring ministries and other state agencies to buy locally assembled vehicles./SAM WANJOHI

Kenya

Stern action to be taken against officials importing luxury vehicles for government use – PS Kibicho

Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho said the move is in line with the president’s directive made early this year, requiring ministries and other state agencies to buy locally assembled vehicles./SAM WANJOHI

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 10- The government will take stern action against State officials who will import vehicles that are locally assembled.

Kibicho was speaking during the inspection of some of the locally assembled vehicles and motorcycles on Wednesday.

The directive, according to President Kenyatta is part of the government’s agenda to promote the philosophy of “Buy Kenya build Kenya”. It is also intended to promote local industries and create employment opportunities.

Kibicho told local assemblers and manufacturers that they have the mandate to monitor for themselves and report to the national development implementation technical committee if they spot such a vehicle.

“We have a mechanism where if you are a manufacturer and you find a government institution that has imported a vehicle locally assembled, you report to us and disciplinary action will actually be taken,” said the PS.

Kibicho said that Government was the biggest consumer of any product and since they are keen on promoting sectors that have a potential of creating job opportunities, they will lead by an example.

“Beginning this financial year we are going to consume these products and spur our manufacturing sector,” he said.

Kibicho added that the government has a program of leasing vehicles on behalf of national police service and government administrators of 5000 vehicles, and if the local assemblers meet the specifications of their use they are the ones to supply them.

A representative from the Mobius motors John Kunga led PS Kibicho and other principal secretaries in inspecting some of their vehicles locally assembled, so as to appreciate the work of local manufacturers.

CEO and Founder of Kibo motorcycles Huib Van de Grijspaarde, also showcased motorcycles whereby 98 per cent of the material used are local.

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The CEO said with steady increase in the production of the motorcycles, many jobs will be created directly and indirectly. Additionally, there shall also be transfer of knowledge which will help produce more motorcycles for both domestic and export markets.

“Developing a vehicle or a motorcycle is a very long process, but we appreciate the Government’s support in supporting local assembly, local production and engineering,”

Currently, most of the motorcycles on Kenyan roads include Honda and Yamaha. Others include Indian Bajaj brands like Boxer and low -cost Chinese makes.

PS Kibicho said that the manufacturer has offered Kenya Police two motorcycles for one month for testing to ensure they are of the right standards.

“We want to expose them to strenuous of conditions, and if they are working properly then as the Interior Ministry we commit to put them in our program so that we can continue promoting this,” said Kibicho.

 

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