Car and motorcycle registrations have spiked in recent months, doubling from 10,246 units in April 2024 to 21,056 units in April this year, as importers rush to beat July 1st start date of a new computation model for import duty.
- •In April 2025, motorcycles accounted for the largest share at 48.0%, followed by station wagons at 35.1%, according to data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics.
- •However, on a monthly basis, the total number of registered cars decreased from 22,544 units in March 2025 to 21,056 units in April 2025.
- •The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) is set to implement a revised Current Retail Selling Price (CRSP) list for used cars — the first update since 2019.
The CRSP, which is reviewed periodically, is a critical component in determining the applicable taxes on imported cars. The 2025 revision reflects significant market developments, including the introduction of new vehicle models, prevailing economic conditions, and key variables such as exchange rates, import duty, and excise duty.
KRA says the new CRSP is more detailed and robust, with over 5,200 unique vehicle models, compared to about 3,000 in 2019.
“Some models are still missing due to limitations in source data. However, we are committed to continuous updates as new data sources are agreed upon,” the Authority said.
The tax on car models like the Suzuki Swift, Mazda Demio, and Toyota Vitz is set to more than double. For instance, a 1.2-litre petrol-powered Swift manufactured in 2018 will attract a total tax of Ksh 623,503, up from Ksh 253,574 — a nearly 146% increase, pushing retail prices above Ksh 2 million.
Efforts to assemble cars locally are still nascent, with only 4, 386 units assembled in the first four months of 2025. The total annual numbers dipped in 2024 to 11, 555 from over 13, 000 in each of the preceding two years.
