Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) Group has invited public bids for the auction of nine vehicles, including popular models such as a Subaru Outback and an Isuzu D-Max. The sale was announced in a public notice in the Daily Nation on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, with a deadline for bid submission set for Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 5:00 PM EAT.

The portfolio of vehicles on offer is diverse, catering to a range of commercial and personal needs. The most expensive vehicle listed is a 2016 Land Rover Discovery Landmark S.Wagon with a reserve price of KSh 4.9 million, while the most affordable is a 2024 New Holland tractor valued at KSh 1.74 million. Other vehicles include a 2023 Isuzu D-Max, a 2016 Subaru Outback, a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander, commercial trucks like a Mercedes-Benz Actros prime mover, an Ashok Leyland lorry, a Mitsubishi Fuso canter, and a Dongfeng loader crane truck.

The vehicles are located at various yards across the country, including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret, Thika, and Naivasha, allowing for geographically widespread access for potential buyers. Interested parties can view and place bids through the official KCB website.

Auction Process and Conditions

The auction operates on an "as-is, where-is" basis, meaning the vehicles are sold in their current condition without any warranty from the bank. This is a standard practice in such auctions, placing the onus on the buyer to conduct due diligence and inspect the vehicles thoroughly before bidding. All successful bidders are required to pay a non-refundable bid fee of KSh 6,000 for each vehicle. KCB has also indicated that its own account holders may be eligible for financing to purchase these vehicles, subject to a credit evaluation.

Market Context and Regional Implications

Bank-led vehicle auctions are a regular feature of Kenya's automotive market, often resulting from asset seizures in cases of loan defaults. This practice allows financial institutions to recover non-performing loans. The KCB auction comes at a time when other financial institutions and auctioneering firms are also actively selling used vehicles. For instance, Onyango & Tarus, a Nairobi-based firm, recently announced the auction of 38 used cars, while MOGO Limited is auctioning 21 vehicles. This indicates a steady supply of repossessed vehicles into the second-hand market, potentially influencing pricing and providing more options for consumers.

For the Kenyan public, these auctions can represent an opportunity to acquire vehicles at competitive prices. However, the "as-is" condition necessitates caution and mechanical expertise during inspection. The variety of vehicles, from commercial trucks to family SUVs, reflects the broad spectrum of assets financed by banks and the diverse nature of loan defaults.

A significant legal development impacting such sales is a February 2025 Tax Appeals Tribunal ruling which affirmed that Value Added Tax (VAT) is chargeable on the disposal of seized assets by banks. In the case involving KCB Bank Kenya Limited, the tribunal ruled that selling repossessed vehicles is a taxable supply. This means the final auction price for buyers will likely include VAT, a crucial consideration for bidders' financial calculations.

The consistent flow of vehicles from bank auctions into the market is an important economic indicator, reflecting levels of credit default and the health of the transport and logistics sectors. For East Africa, where KCB has a significant presence, these trends in Kenya's financial and automotive sectors are closely watched as they can signal broader economic patterns across the region.