The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has issued a public notice regarding the
purchase of motor vehicles from police auctions.
The agency urged
buyers to exercise caution and adhere to the required vehicle importation
standards before buying such vehicles subjected to police auctions.
According to Kebs, vehicles bought at police auctions must
comply with KS 1515:2000 – Kenya Standard Code of Practice for Inspection of
Road Vehicles to determine their roadworthiness.
The regulations prohibit the registration of motor vehicles
that are more than eight years old from the date of first registration.
However, Kebs stated that it may recommend a waiver of the
age limit requirement to the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Investments,
Trade, and Industry, provided the vehicle meets the Waiver Evaluation Technical
Criteria (WETC).
The WETC, which is publicly available, outlines the criteria
for evaluating police-auctioned vehicles for waiver consideration by the
Cabinet Secretary.
The conditions for waiver include vehicles that are in Kenya, are in the custody of the Kenyan police, and are not claimed.
Buyers of such vehicles must submit a waiver application
letter, a multi-agency pre-auction report, and a gazette notice by the police
listing the vehicle for auction, specifying units for use on roads and those
for scrapping in line with the multi-agency pre-auction report.
A court order for auction will also be required as well as a
licence of the auctioneer, tape lift from the DCI and Interpol clearance.
“The agency will only consider and recommend an age limit
waiver for police-auctioned vehicles that meet the set requirements,” Kebs
stated.
KEBS further warned that vehicles failing to meet the
minimum safety and environmental standards may be recommended for destruction
or re-exportation.
The agency advised buyers to confirm vehicle details with
Kebs before completing any transactions.
Additionally, KEBS reiterated its commitment to rigorous
inspections in collaboration with other regulatory bodies, such as the National
Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and the Ministry of Transport, to ensure
compliance with safety and performance standards.
“Buyers of auctioned vehicles are urged to seek guidance from the relevant authorities to avoid potential losses,” KEBS emphasized. The agency also encouraged the public to verify vehicle compliance through its official channels.
