The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has clarified its policy allowing the conditional importation of special-purpose motor vehicles that would otherwise be banned under normal circumstances.
While maintaining its strict eight-year age limit and prohibition on left-hand drive vehicles for regular passenger cars, KEBS will now permit exceptions for customized work vehicles that meet specific criteria.
The exemption comes with stringent requirements designed to ensure only legitimate special-purpose vehicles enter the country. Importers must provide documented proof of customization that demonstrates the vehicle’s unique purpose, along with comprehensive service records proving roadworthiness.
Notably, even with these exceptions, KEBS maintains an absolute cutoff — no vehicle over 20 years old from its manufacture date will be allowed under any circumstances. The bureau emphasizes that these waivers aren’t automatic; importers must apply for and receive approval before shipping any non-compliant special-purpose vehicles to avoid costly rejections at Kenyan ports.
This policy clarification comes as KEBS strengthens its enforcement of KS 1515:2000, the Kenya Standard Code of Practice for vehicle inspections. Industries such as construction, mining, agriculture, and emergency services — which often require specialized equipment not readily available in the local market — stand to benefit most from these provisions.
However, KEBS warns against attempts to abuse the exemption, reminding importers that regular passenger vehicles disguised as special-purpose units will face immediate rejection. The bureau has directed all stakeholders to its website for detailed waiver requirements and encourages the use of its verification systems to confirm the authenticity of any KEBS quality marks on imported vehicles.
These conditional exemptions reflect a pragmatic solution to a persistent challenge: how to keep unsafe vehicles off Kenyan roads without unnecessarily hampering economic sectors that require unique equipment not manufactured locally.
