The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has issued a notice to all importers of used motor vehicles ahead of new compliance requirements set to take effect at the start of 2026.
In a notice on Tuesday, November 18, the agency noted that starting January 1, 2026, only right-hand drive vehicles registered from January 1, 2019, onwards will be eligible for importation.
"Pursuant to the provision of KS 1515:2000 - Kenya Standard Code of Practice for Inspection of Road Vehicles, and Legal Notice No.78 of 28th April 2020 - The Verification of Conformity to Kenya Standards of Imports Order, we wish to notify all importers of used/second-hand motor vehicles including returning residents, diplomatic staff and the general public that in observance of clause 2.5 of KS 1515:2000 on the eight (8) year age limit requirement, only Right Hand Drive (RHD) motor vehicles whose year of first registration is from 1st January 2019 and later shall be allowed into the country effective 1st January 2026," the notice read.
KEBS also noted that all vehicles exported to Kenya must comply with the Kenya Code of Practice for Inspection of Road Vehicles.
According to the agency, those imported from countries with authorized inspection agencies must be accompanied by specific roadworthiness documentation.
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"Vehicles exported to Kenya shall be expected to comply with KS 1515:2000 - Kenya Code of Practice for Inspection of Road Vehicles, while vehicles from countries where KEBS has an inspection agency, i.e, Japan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Thailand, Singapore, and South Africa) shall be accompanied by a Certificate of Roadworthiness (CoR) issued by Quality Inspection Services Inc. Japan (QISJ), which is an inspection company contracted by KEBS," the notice added.
Additionally, KEBS clarified that certificates of roadworthiness for vehicles registered in 2018 will expire at the end of 2025.
The agency said importers must ensure that all such vehicles arrive in the country before this deadline to avoid compliance issues.
"Further, the Certificates of Roadworthiness for vehicles whose year of first registration is 2018 will not be valid after 31st December 2025. All vehicles issued with such certificates must arrive at the Port of Destination/Entry by 31st December 2025," the notice further read.
KEBS warned that any vehicle registered in 2018 or earlier that arrives after December 31, 2025, will be rejected.
"Any vehicle registered in 2018 or earlier, arriving after 31st December 2025, will be deemed not compliant with KS 1515:2000 and shall be rejected at the importer's expense," the notice concluded.
This comes months after KEBS outlined the conditions and waiver requirements for the registration of police-auctioned motor vehicles.
In a notice on Tuesday, April 1, KEBS cited the enforcement of the Kenya Standard Code of Practice for Inspection of Road Vehicles, which prohibits the importation and registration of vehicles older than eight years from their first registration date.
However, the agency noted that under special circumstances, it may recommend a waiver of the age limit to the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry.
"KEBS enforces KS 1515:2000 - Kenya Standard Code of Practice for Inspection of Road Vehicles that prohibits importation and registration of motor vehicles that are more than eight (8) years of age from the year of first registration.
"However, KEBS may recommend to the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry to waive the age limit requirement subject to compliance with the Waiver Evaluation Technical Criteria (WETC) by applicants," the notice read.
KEBS made it clear that specific conditions must be met before a waiver for a police-auctioned vehicle is considered.
According to the notice, the applicant must provide a waiver application letter along with a multi-agency pre-auction report.
Applicants must also provide a Gazette Notice by the National Police Service listing the vehicle for auction, specifying units for use on roads and those for scrapping, in line with the multi-agency pre-auction report.
Other requirements are a court order authorizing the auction, a license of the auctioneer who conducted the auction, along with the certificate of sale.
