Toyota Kenya hands over 800 new Police vehicles under government lease programme.

Some of the 800 vehicles that were handed over to the National Police Service by Toyota Kenya.

The National Police Service (NPS) on Monday has received 800 vehicles from Toyota Kenya under the government’s pilot lease programme.

The handing over ceremony at the Kenya Vehicle manufacturers (KVM) plant in Thika was part of the fourth phase of the programme that started in October 2013.

While speaking at the event, Toyota Kenya Managing Director Arvinder Reel lauded the programme saying it had immensely contributed to the country’s security.

“As an institution, we are proud to be associated with the programme that has contributed immensely to the country’s security. The government has benefited from cash flow management, professional fleet management, driver training and aftersales support notwithstanding the promotion of skills transfer to counties,” said Reel.

He noted that over 2500 police officers had been trained on production operation, lease procedures and safe operation of vehicles in 41 counties.

In the current exercise, all the 1,100 vehicles that were awarded to the government in 2013 and whose lease has elapsed, will be returned to Toyota Kenya and replaced with new ones.

This exercise is set to continue for the next two weeks.

Assistant Secretary National Treasury David Malonza and Toyota Kenya Managing Director Arvinder Reel sign the transfer documents for the 800 vehicles that were handed over to the national Police Service.

Once Toyota Kenya receives the used vehicles, they will undergo a thorough assessment exercise to ascertain their exact condition before they are refurbished and later sold to the general public through an open market.

“After assessment, these vehicles will be refurbished to meet the required Kenyan standards. They will then undergo some valuation before being sold to the public through finance companies. The resale programme will be open to all on a first-come-first-served basis,” he explained.

Currently, the NPS has a need for 4,500 units of police vehicles with the shortage expected to rise to 11,000 vehicles in the next five (5) years following the additional administration structures, additional offices and strengthened Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

The event was graced by the Assistant Secretary National Treasury David Malonza and attended by representatives from Toyota Kenya, the National Police Service and Treasury.

The vehicles will be distributed to all the 47 counties.