NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenyans searching for budget-friendly vehicles will soon have a rare chance to buy government-owned cars at throwaway prices, after the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) announced a nationwide auction of unserviceable and surplus assets.
In a public notice dated July 7, the ODPP said the auction will take place on July 22 at 10am at its Nairobi headquarters, with vehicle inspection scheduled between July 9 and July 17 during normal working hours.
According to the auction catalogue, some vehicles will go under the hammer with reserve prices as low as Sh30,000, making them among the cheapest government vehicles offered to the public in recent years.
The low-priced lots include a Toyota Hilux, Toyota Corolla, Suzuki Maruti, and a Peugeot 504.
Other vehicles on sale include Nissan Tiidas, Toyota Corollas, Toyota Hilux pickups, a Nissan X-Trail, a Toyota Hiace van, and a Suzuki motorcycle, with reserve prices ranging from Sh40,000 to Sh285,000.
While most of the vehicles are stationed at the ODPP’s Nairobi offices, others are spread across regional stations in Kapenguria, Embu, Tharaka Nithi, Garissa, Marsabit, Siaya, Migori and Lodwar.
Regional lots include a Suzuki motorcycle in Kapenguria, Toyota Hilux pickups in Tharaka Nithi, Garissa, Marsabit and Lodwar, a Toyota Corolla in Embu, another Corolla in Siaya, and a Nissan Tiida in Migori.
Nairobi hosts the largest number of vehicles, including several Toyota, Nissan, Peugeot and Suzuki models.
Beyond vehicles, the ODPP will also auction assorted office furniture, ICT equipment, old spare parts, tyres and batteries, as part of routine government asset disposal.
“The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions invites interested members of the public to participate in a public auction for the disposal of obsolete, unserviceable and surplus assets,” the agency said, noting the exercise complies with the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015 and related regulations.
The auction will be conducted by Trenad Auctioneers, with all items sold on an “as is, where is” basis, meaning no warranties will be provided.
Prospective bidders will be required to pay a refundable deposit equivalent to 10 per cent of the reserve price for each vehicle they wish to bid on. Those bidding for assorted stores will pay a refundable Sh5,000 deposit.
Deposits will be refunded to unsuccessful bidders, with each deposit applying to only one motor vehicle.
Successful bidders must pay 25 per cent of the purchase price immediately after the fall of the hammer, with the balance settled within seven days.
Failure to complete payment within the stipulated period will result in forfeiture of the deposit.
Buyers will also be required to collect their vehicles within 14 days of the auction, after which a Sh2,000 daily storage fee will apply.
The ODPP has advised interested buyers to download the auction catalogue from its website and independently verify the condition and details of the vehicles before bidding, warning that particulars are not warranted by either the agency or the auctioneer.
Among the highest-priced lots is a Toyota Hiace with a reserve price of Sh285,000, followed by a Toyota Hilux at Sh250,000, and two other Hilux pickups priced at Sh220,000 each.
With several vehicles listed far below prevailing market rates, the auction is expected to draw strong interest from bargain hunters, used-car dealers and members of the public seeking affordable transport.