The Ministry of Interior & Coordination of National Government took delivery of 48 Isuzu D-Max double-cab pickups for use by Deputy County Commissioners under the National Government Administration Officer NGAO.
The vehicles will be deployed to the counties for administrative duties and management of security across the country. The 48 vehicles are the last batch of 345 pick-ups that Isuzu was contracted to lease to the government by the National Treasury.
In April, Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiangi received 162 Isuzu pickups that have already been deployed across the country.
The entire contract with the Ministry comprises 514 vehicles valued at 4.6billion shillings.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Isuzu Finance & Strategy Director Mr. Charles Kariuki said that leasing has enabled access to vehicles for the government and other organizations without the burden of the heavy capital injection that comes with asset acquisition.
“The Kenya government has since 2013 leased over 3,000 police vehicles in a move aimed at cutting costs and improving police mobility in their daily operations within the country. This move has supported the local automotive manufacturing industry and helped create jobs in the value chain that includes service, financial services, insurance, and spare parts.” He said.
“We wish to express our gratitude to the Ministry for insisting and being resolute that the vehicles coming into the 6th phase of the program must be locally assembled,” Mr. Kariuki said.
The vehicles were received by Mr. Paul Famba, the Director of Administration at the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government. He lauded the vehicle leasing model saying that it has ensured that the government fleet is running efficiently with minimal downtime. Isuzu has 55 authorized service centers across Kenya.
On the vehicles already received by the National Government Office in February, Mr. Famba assured Isuzu that the vehicles in service have eased transport logistics since they are serviced and maintained by the dealers.
“We have discovered that vehicles serviced at the Authorized service centers last longer and are more efficient since they use genuine parts and accessories,” he said.
The Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government tops the list of Isuzu customers that have embraced the leasing model of ownership. This was a strong demonstration of the Buy Kenya, Build Kenya vision. Isuzu has supplied nearly 1,000 vehicles to the national government, Corporates, County governments, and SMEs since the leasing model was introduced by the Government.
The leasing deal is in partnership with Star Rental, Rentco Africa, NCBA Bank, and Coop Fleet Africa.