NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 4 – The average price of a car in Kenya has risen by 72 percent over the past two years to Sh1.37 million, making vehicle ownership increasingly expensive for many buyers, according to a new report by online marketplace Jiji.
The report shows the average listing price increased from Sh797,000 in 2024 to Sh1.37 million this year, driven partly by higher import costs.
The increase follows the Kenya Revenue Authority’s (KRA) introduction of a new Current Retail Selling Price (CRSP) schedule, which is used to calculate customs values for imported used vehicles and has pushed up the prices of many models.
For example, a Toyota Vitz (1300cc) that previously retailed at about Sh1.3 million now sells for around Sh1.5 million.
“Against this backdrop, pre-owned vehicles remain an attractive option for many buyers, offering access to a wider range of models at different price points,” Jiji said.
The report also found that the median asking price for locally used vehicles has crossed the Sh1 million mark, establishing a new pricing benchmark in Kenya’s vehicle market.
Foreign-used vehicles have an average listing price of about Sh4.5 million, compared to Sh1.5 million for locally used cars, making imported models nearly three times more expensive on average.
Across all vehicle listings on the platform, the average asking price stands at approximately Sh2.5 million, reflecting the wide range of vehicles available in the market.
