The Interior Ministry has today received 170 Isuzu D-Max pickups as part of the 345 Isuzu pickups set to be deployed by the ministry to its officers who include sub-county, county commissioners and the National Police Service.
Speaking during the event, the Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i said that the vehicles will be deployed across all the counties to provide logistics support to national government and administration officials as they continue to deliver services to Kenyans.
The 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.
“Government is about service delivery, every county will at least have four vehicles to provide services for Kenyans, we must step up fairly, and objectively to ensure peace and stability during this campaign period ahead of general elections,” added Matiang’i.
The entire supply contract with the Ministry of Interior comprises 514 vehicles value at Sh.4.6 billion.
Local vehicle assembler Isuzu East Africa has already delivered 131 vehicles to the ministry which includes 80 Mu-X SUV’s, 47 pickups and 4 buses.
Isuzu D-Max is a versatile vehicle which combines a bold and stylish design with advanced user functionality and comfort, while retaining Isuzu’s trademark strength, durability and performance on the road surface.
The Isuzu vehicles will have access to over 55 authorised service centres countrywide, to ensure service and routine maintenance within the Isuzu Network.
This will reduce the distance travelled for all leased Isuzu vehicles which need to access services or major repair.
Speaking at the event, Rita Kavashe, Isuzu East Africa Managing Director said “leasing has enabled access of vehicles for the government and other organisations without the burden of the heavy capital injection that comes with asset acquisition.”
Isuzu East Africa is the leading motor vehicle assembly in East Africa, selling a wide range Isuzu vehicle with over 15 models in its line-up.
The Isuzu brand has dominated the new vehicle segment for eight years in a row since 2012.
Isuzu chairman Hiroshi Hisatomi said: “The vehicle lease deal was a welcome marker for the 5th year anniversary celebrations since Isuzu motors came into East Africa in mid-2017.”
Kaveshe thanked the ministry for introducing favourable regulations and for buying local assembly vehicles thereby supporting the “Buy Kenya, Build Kenya Vision.”