NAIROBI, Kenya – The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced a public auction of decommissioned military vehicles, equipment, and general stores, set to take place across four regions in April and May.
The auction will provide an opportunity for individuals and businesses to acquire surplus government assets under specific conditions.
According to the MoD, the auction will be conducted under four separate tenders corresponding to different regions.
The designated sites include Kenya Navy Base (KNB) Mtongwe in the Mombasa region, 43 Ordinance Corps Centre (OCC) in Nanyuki, Defence Forces Ordnance Depot (DEFOD) in Kahawa, Nairobi, and 23 OCC in Lanet, Nakuru.
The items will be sold on an “as-is, where-is” basis, meaning buyers will assume full responsibility for the condition of the purchased assets without warranties.
Interested buyers will have an opportunity to inspect the items before placing their bids.
The official viewing period is scheduled between April 7 and April 25, 2025, on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding public holidays.
Viewing sites will be spread across DEFOD Kahawa, 12 Engineers Battalion in Thika, 23 OCC Lanet, 43 OCC Nanyuki, Kenya Navy Base Mtongwe, and Mariakani Garrison.
The auction process will be managed by licensed auctioneers assigned to each region.
M/S Garam Auctioneers will oversee the sale at KNB Mtongwe on April 29, while M/S View Line Auctioneers will conduct the auction at 43 OCC Nanyuki on May 6.
The auction at 23 OCC Lanet is set for May 13 under the management of M/S J K Wanderi Auctioneers, while M/S Philips Auctioneers will handle the sale at DEFOD Kahawa on May 20. All auctions will begin at 10 a.m.
To participate in the bidding process, interested parties must purchase a detailed catalogue outlining the available items at a non-refundable fee of Ksh1,000 per set.
Additionally, bidders must deposit a refundable bid number fee—Ksh50,000 for vehicles and equipment and Ksh30,000 for general stores—before the final day of viewing.
A bid number will be valid for only one lot, and bidders must present original receipts for the catalogue and deposit before being allowed to participate in the auction.
Successful bidders will be required to pay a 25 percent deposit immediately after winning a bid, with the remaining balance due within 14 days.
Failure to complete the payment within this period will lead to cancellation and forfeiture of the deposit.
Conversely, unsuccessful bidders will have their deposits refunded upon presentation of their original receipts.
Once full payment has been made, buyers will have 30 days to collect their purchased items.
Beyond this period, storage charges will apply at a rate of one percent of the bid price per day for up to three months.
If the items remain uncollected after this time, they will be forfeited alongside any payments made.
Buyers are also responsible for all applicable duties, VAT, and other charges in line with government regulations.
Special conditions apply to those purchasing ex-military vehicles.
Buyers must repaint the vehicles to remove military color schemes before putting them on the road.
Additionally, operating such vehicles with military-issued number plates is prohibited, with any violations resulting in immediate impoundment.
All successful buyers must obtain clearance from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) before collecting their purchases.
The MoD has set a reserve price for the auctioned items and reserves the right to reject bids that fall below the minimum threshold without providing explanations.
The auction is expected to attract a wide range of bidders, from businesses looking to acquire equipment at competitive prices to collectors interested in decommissioned military assets.
With strict regulations in place, the MoD aims to ensure a transparent and fair process while upholding security and compliance standards.
