Government vehicles.[Photo/Nation]
Firms that lease motor vehicles to the Government want it to stop the plan to take new vehicles in the second phase of the programme and retain the vehicles currently being used by different State agencies.
An industry's section said many of the vehicles leased under the initial phase had been underutilized and that State agencies, including the National Police Service, would have more value for money by continuing to use the cars.
As of last year the government had leased more than 3,000 vehicles from various auto dealerships.
The leases signed in 2014 are set to expire this year and upon the leases' expiry the Government plans to lease new vehicles while the dealers are expected to transfer the old ones in the local second-hand market.
Vehicle and Equipment Leasing Limited Chief Executive Paul Njeru stated that about half of the vehicles whose leases are nearing expiration are still low on mileage and can still run for a few more years before they are replaced with new ones.
“Not all leases for the vehicles should be extended. There are those that have been well utilized and should be replaced by new ones,” he said.
“But there are also others that still have low mileage. This was a pilot project for the Government and it is only prudent for the industry to advise on best practice.”