President Kenyatta urges local assemblers to produce affordable vehicles

President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged local motor vehicle assemblers to find innovative ways of producing quality affordable cars.

The President said this would help to discourage importation of used vehicles, which are cheaper than the locally assembled ones

“We have to think outside the box. I encourage you to come up with real solutions in motor the vehicle industry that will benefit Kenyans,” President Kenyatta said.

Big Four Agenda

He was speaking yesterday at State House, Mombasa, when he met members of the Kenya Manufacturers Association to discuss the National Automotive Policy, which aims to promote the sector.

Manufacturing is one of the key pillars of the Big Four Agenda through which the Government hopes to create thousands of jobs for the youth.

The President said the Government was ready to work with the Vehicle Manufacturers Association to restore the local industry to its former glory.

Local industry

Members of the Kenya Manufacturers Association, who included Simba Corporation Group Executive Chairman Adil Popat, Isuzu East Africa Managing Director Rita Kavashe, DT Dobie Executive Chairman Zarak Khan and Martyn Broadfield of Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers, were present.

Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua and Cabinet secretaries Peter Munya, Henry Rotich, Najib Balala, James Macharia, Joe Mucheru and Adan Mohamed, and Attorney General Paul Kihara also attended the meeting.