Cars at a container freight station in Mombasa. [Photo/ businessdailyafrica.com]
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) is set to auction dozens of vehicles at its Mombasa warehouse.
This is over what traders have attributed to slow business following the extended electioneering period.
"Notice is given that unless the mentioned goods under the custody of the Customs Warehouse Keeper, Kilindini are entered and removed within the next thirty (30) days, they will be sold by public auction," read a notice published on the Kenya Gazette on Friday.
The move is likely to cost buyers and dealers millions of shillings.
KRA says it will auction the 163 vehicles on January 17 next year, as well as thousands of tonnes of cereals, some imported by Ugandans, that have not been cleared.
The vehicles are mainly owned by importing companies based in Nairobi, Nakuru, Eldoret and Mombasa.
According to the Nation, the used vehicles are largely Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Daf Trucks, Mercedes Benz VW Toureg, Honda, Hyundai, Mazda and Subaru models.
Kenya Auto Bazaar Association secretary-general Charles Munyori said 2017 has been a difficult year, especially for used car buyers and most firms are surviving on savings with few sales reported.
"We usually import vehicles using money received from clients but as of now no client is placing any orders with us,” said Munyori, as quoted by the daily.