High demand increases lorry sales 19 per cent

Rising demand for transport services has seen Kenyans buy 4,826 lorries between January and July, a 19.01 per cent rise compared to 4,055 lorries bought during the same period in an electioneering year.

Kenya National Bureau of Statistics numbers indicate the sale of trucks also saw an 11.16 per cent rise where 1,185 trucks were bought compared to 1,066 units sold during a similar period last year.

Traders said 2017 was a slow year with low investment as Kenyans held back funds awaiting the outcome of the general elections that disrupted normal activities.

In 2018, the situation normalised with falling political tension, spurring public and private development activity including movement of cargo.

Data indicates businesses picked with December 2017 registering 734 units, January 2018 having the highest sales of 788 units while July 2018 settled for 734 units.

At the same time, 642 buses were registered, a 5.58 per cent drop from last year’s 680, while mini-buses registered a 14.17 per cent growth with 306 units sold compared to 268 units last year.

Interestingly, pickups had the lowest sales with a 15 per cent drop as only 2,252 were sold compared to 2,651 units between January to July last year.

While pickups are popular, statutory fees for the units classified as light commercial vehicles as well as consistent harassment by Traffic Police officers and county askaris appear to have made it costly to operate pickups. The alternative for station wagons sales stood at 32,746 units, a 10 per cent rise compared to 29,758 units sold during a similar period last year.

Three wheelers or Tuk Tuks continued to enjoy better times at 18.33 per cent rise with 3,531 units sold compared to 2,984 units sold last year in the first seven months.