Market News

Motorbike imports up 79pc in first half of the year

motor

Statistics by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics(KNBS) showed 126,822 motorcycles were imported in the first half of this year. FILE PHOTO | NMG

The number of motorcycles imported into the country in the first half of this year jumped 79.2 per cent compared to last year, reflecting popular demand for the bikes made cheaper by the removal of Sh10,000 excise duty per unit in September 2016.

Statistics by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics(KNBS) showed 126,822 motorcycles were imported in the first half of this year, up from 70,770 units imported in the same period last year.

The value of imported motorcycles went up 74.43 per cent to Sh7.2 billion in the first half of this year from Sh4.1 billion the previous year in the review period. The Treasury in December 2015 imposed Sh10,000 excise duty per bike but lifted it last year following lobbying by dealers and manufacturers.

Motorcycles are a popular mode of transport both in urban and rural areas.

Some popular models on Kenyan roads include Car & General’s TVS brand, Honda, Indian firm Bajaj’s Boxer, Yamaha (Toyota Kenya) as well as low-cost Chinese brands.