The number of cars registered by Kenyans in the first eight months of the year increased by 25 percent compared to last year defying the tough economic times faced by many households.
Official data published by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) indicates that Kenyans registered 75,059 vehicles in the eight months up from 59,945 in a similar period last year.
Units registered in the period to August this year, are the highest in four years.
The surge in overall vehicle registrations suggests resilient domestic demand, improving credit availability, and stronger private-sector confidence.
Dealers in the car market have attributed the rise in vehicle acquisitions to financing arrangements by banks and other financial institutions.
Experts reckon the trend is likely to persist into the final quarter of the year if inflation remains contained and exchange-rate stability continues to support import flows.
According to the official exchange rate by the Central Bank of Kenya, the shilling has remained relatively stable since the year began, exchanging at an average Sh129.3 for a unit of the US dollar.
The local unit rallied strongly to the current levels, from January 2024 lows of Sh163 to the American currency in which most international trade is settled. This means imports of vehicles and other commodities have become cheaper from a currency perspective.
Further analysis revealed that the strongest momentum came from the commercial-transport segment, where trailer registrations jumped 151.2 percent, almost tripling to 2,738 units in the first eight months.
Analysts attribute this spike to growing cross-border cargo volumes and ongoing fleet upgrades by logistics companies positioning for regional trade opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Public service vehicles saw a powerful rebound, with mini-bus registrations rising 45 percent while full-sized buses increased by 25 percent.
Operators have been renewing fleets in anticipation of higher commuter volumes in major cities as economic activity normalises.
Station wagons remained Kenya’s most registered vehicle category and continued their upward trend, growing 22.8 percent to 50,390 units.
The popularity of station wagons mirrors continued preference among households and SMEs for fuel-efficient, multi-purpose vehicles.
