Residents and stakeholders from Uasin Gishu, Nandi, and Elgeyo Marakwet Counties yesterday participated in public consultations on the Draft National Automotive Bill 2025.
The Bill is aimed at promoting the growth of Kenya’s automotive industry.
The draft bill provides for the establishment of a National Automotive Council and an Automotive Institute, with a focus on technology transfer, skills development, and local value addition.
It seeks to strengthen the sector through enhanced manufacturing, sustainable mobility, and industrial growth in line with the Kenya Industrialisation Policy and Vision 2030.
Speaking at the public participation forum in Eldoret Town on behalf of the Principal Secretary for Industry, Juma Mukhwana, State Department of Industry (SDI) Director Christopher Njabara noted that the bill was developed in consultation with key stakeholders in the sector.
He said the legislation seeks to create a legal and institutional framework that supports vehicle and motorcycle assembly, innovation, local content development, and environmental sustainability.
“The bill aligns with Kenya’s Vision 2030, the National Administration Policy Framework, and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), all of which recognise manufacturing as a key driver of GDP growth and job creation,” Njabara stated.
He highlighted challenges facing the sector despite the existing national automotive policy, including gaps in primary vehicle registration, legal disputes, and low operational capacity in local assembly plants.
Njabara noted that Kenya holds strong export potential within the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC), which can be fully realised through the successful implementation of the bill.
The draft legislation has benefited from input from industry players, including the Kenya Private Sector Alliance, Kenya Auto Bazaar Association, Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), Motorcycle Assembly Association, Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers (KVM), Associated Motor Vehicle Assemblers, the German Agency, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization.
It proposes measures on local content development, end-of-life vehicle management, and enhanced mobility solutions.
Benson Waweru from SDI emphasised that the bill demonstrates the government’s commitment to local value addition, industrial growth, and environmental sustainability.
“It will ensure Kenya not only assembles vehicles but also manufactures key automotive components locally,” he said.
Uasin Gishu Deputy County Commissioner (DCC), Mathew Baroni, urged stakeholders to submit comprehensive feedback to enrich the draft bill.
He stressed that encouraging local manufacturing and reducing reliance on imports would promote youth employment, technology transfer, and skills development.
Following the public participation exercise, the technical team will consolidate stakeholder views, review the draft bill, and submit it to the Cabinet for approval before presentation to Parliament for enactment into law.
Members of the public were urged to access the proposals at https://industrialization.go.ke/downloads and submit comments via email at automotivebill@industrialization.go.ke or through P.O. Box 30418-00100 by 5:00 PM on or before Friday, December 19, 2025.
By Ekuwam Sylvester
