It’s true, second-hand cars are cheaper in Uganda and Tanzania
High taxes levied on used vehicles entering the country has forced a number of Kenyans to buy them from Uganda and Tanzania.
The trend, which is fast gaining popularity among motorists in Busia, Kisumu, Kakamega, Bungoma and Vihiga, has also been blamed on restriction on age limits.
Traders have revealed that unlike Kenya, the vehicles from the neighbouring countries are cheaper by half due to less charges and unlimited age ceiling.
The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce has asked East Africa countries to review the age limit on imported vehicles.
Mr Kiprono Kittony, chamber national said Kenyans are now buying vehicles from Uganda and Tanzania without the knowledge that they are older than those imported to Kenya.
DISPARITY
“We should not have any disparity of the bureau standards among the EAC countries to enable citizens in the five states buy cars freely without being harassed,” he said.
Mr Kittony said Kenya should put up its own factory to assemble cheap cars so that Kenyans can stop relying on buying vehicles from other countries.
Traders have asked the Kenyan Government to reduce taxes imposed on goods as the high prices is hurting their businesses.
They said they were losing clients to their counterparts in the neighbouring country.