Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga on Tuesday, August 31, called for the government to change the policy on secondhand cars.
Speaking after a meeting with members of the Eastleigh business community, Odinga criticized the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) for inspecting secondhand vehicles.
Odinga opined that it does not make sense for KEBS to inspect used cars which have no standards amid surveillance to bar car dealers from importing used cars above the eight-year limit.
"In my view, it does not make sense that KEBS should engage in the inspection of secondhand vehicles. What standards are there in secondhand vehicles?"
"There are no standards for used cars they are mitumba and that is not the work of the Bureau of standards. They should be more concerned about standards that affect the quality of life of the people," he noted.
Odinga stated that standardization should not be made mandatory on certain aspects and KEBS should not be used to harass the Kenyan business community.
The former Prime Minister noted that some of the issues raised by the Eastleigh business community were similar to concerns raised by business people from Gikomba particularly on the role of state and regulatory agencies in stifling the growth of businesses.
Odinga promised to take up the KEBS issue with senior government officials to help solve the standoff and promote positive business practices.
Treasury CS Ukur Yatani, on Monday, January 25, said that the government will phase out secondhand cars by 2026.
The CS called for the motor assembly sector to be streamlined as second-hand cars make up more than 85 per cent of the imported fully built unit (FBUs).
Raila also addressed his one man, one vote, one shilling theory that was criticized by a section of leaders from Mandera County.
The ODM leader explained that his statement was taken out of context and clarified that Kiambu should get their fair share of the national cake and Mandera should also get a fair share of resources.
