What is the rationale of taxing imports?Is it to discourage imports and hence protect local industries,if any,or for gava to enrich itself from the citizens sweat?

@Obi.. Its nothing to be proud of,other countries are manufacturing BRAND new cars and cars are not a measure of what we are. We are a leading dumping zone for second hand products,relying on imports.I bet you are in the diaspora because of the s*** of our leaders.. Imagine what we could be like without US/UK.. We need these lectures before we hold our heads high.

Nyani haoni kundule..

@Tajiri

The truth is not many countries make their own cars,the car manufacturing industry is an exclusive club which I believe even Britain was kicked out of with the sale of Land Rover to Tata. Many other countries remain in it out of national pride at a cost of billions of $$$ to taxpayers

The chinese do not have any significant brand to boast of despite the financial muscle and R&D they have put into the industry.

In Kenya we have assembly lines which make new cars under franchise agreements. if you want a new car you can go to CMC,Toyota,DT Dobie,GM etc and buy a new made/assembled in Kenya car.

Kenyans buy used cars not because they are happy with hand me downs but simply because they can not afford new cars from the franchises I listed above. If you can afford a new car then lucky you.

Do note that I would rather import a 5 year Mercedes for Sh1.5m than buy a new chevrolet from GM for the same price,it's called choice and logic.



I've noticed the youth in particular coming in to a workplace with a completely outsized notion of their own value and importance... just a thinly-veiled arrogance. May be the credit crunch induced recession is whats needed to remind us all about the value of hard work.... By Anonymous

@ Obi,Kenya is a beautiful country full of nice people but with a rotten set of politicians.

Kenya does not produce cars and therefore no justfication for its illegal taxation regime.Alot more Kenyans would buy new cars if the taxation was not punitive.

Finally to me, there is no pride gained in buying second hand/ used products and knowing that is all you are good for..


wote

...go to gikomba and other mtumba outlets and see for yourselves....should we thump our chests too????

NEVER TALK OF A RHINO IF THERE IS NO TREE NEAREBY - ZULU PROVERB