President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday, December 10, commissioned the local assembly of Proton Saga saloon cars at the Associated Vehicle Assemblers (AVA) in Miritini, Mombasa County.
The president lauded Simba Corporation, the Proton franchise holder in Kenya, and all other assemblers for supporting the government's agenda to revive the local vehicle assembly industry.
He stated that the industry would help to support wealth and employment creation for the Kenyan youth.
The president reiterated the government's commitment to continue rolling out transformative development projects across the country.
The commissioning of the vehicles came at a time when the Kenyan government is planning to phase out the import of used vehicles from Europe, the USA and Japan.
The government argues that by phasing out the imports, climate change will be combated and help in the growth of local industries.
Hence, cars, vans and minibuses from the second-hand market may be phased out in 2 years' time.
At the start of 2019, the government advertised the implementation of the National Automotive Policy aimed at supporting locally assembled vehicles.
According to the plan, the age limit of imported passenger vehicles was to be progressively raised to expand the market for vehicles assembled in Kenya.
The president also used the opportunity to rally Miritini residents in supporting the BBI constitutional reform process.
He maintained that the initiative is aimed at crafting a more United and progressive Kenya.
The head of state is also expected to commission the Liwatoni floating footbridge, an 800 meters long infrastructure aimed to help curb the spread of Covid-19.
Plans are underway for another mega project that will accommodate vehicles driving across the channel.
