The Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Cooperatives Hon Peter Munya, has commissioned new assembly lines at the Isuzu EA Assembly Plant constructed at a cost of Ksh 1billion.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Isuzu EA Managing Director, Rita Kavashe, indicated that the move was a demonstration of Isuzu EA’s manufacturing capacity to locally assemble a wide range of upcoming commercial vehicles that meet diverse customer needs in different economic sectors.
“The introduction of the new assembly lines is aimed at modernizing and boosting assembly operations in readiness for the launch of our 7th generation locally assembled Isuzu vehicles later this year,” she said. “With this significant step, we are keen to strengthen our local assembly potential in line with government ambitions to grow the manufacturing sector,” Rita explained.
Rita further added that assembling the planned truck models through Completely Knocked Down kits (CKDs) provides some great benefits to Isuzu EA and the Kenyan economy in general.
“We expect increased employment opportunities to support the new assembly lines, local content support requirements for the new model lines, and opportunities for technology and skills transfer to build the capacity of local service technicians,” she said.
The Isuzu EA Managing Director emphasized that the Isuzu Assembly Plant was fully committed to the Buy Kenya, Build Kenya vision through the Ksh 1billion investment.
”This investment will continue to ensure that our vehicles meet global safety and quality standards for our customers, while creating growth opportunities in the manufacturing sector in support of the government’s Big 4 economic agenda,” Rita said.
While delivering his keynote address at the commissioning ceremony, Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya congratulated Isuzu EA on the milestone noting that the investment was a demonstration of confidence in Kenya and the Government.
“Allow me to commend Isuzu EA for leading the automotive industry in driving the industrialization agenda and investing in Kenya for the growth and prosperity of our nation,” he said. “I’ve seen for myself the impressive facility upgrades to the vehicle assembly lines and the harnessing of new automotive technologies to build the manufacturing capacity of this Plant,” added CS Munya.
CS Munya noted that the expansion by Isuzu EA was in line with the Government’s ambition to grow the country’s manufacturing sector.
“We aim to create jobs by expanding the manufacturing sector and I believe by being competitive and ambitious enough, we can make products that are of world class standards here in Kenya and for export to regional markets,” he said. “With the right support and incentives the local vehicle assembly industry has the potential to create over 50,000 jobs in a few years. The industry will also be in a position to contribute substantially to the Country’s GDP,” CS Munya added.
The assembly lines that were commissioned by CS Peter Munya consist of: An Electro Deposition Paint-shop using advanced technology in applying the first coat on the vehicles ensuring longer paint life and finish; a Dynamic Test Center that will provide finer vehicle inspection such as speed tests, brake tests, headlamp tests among others; and Water Leak Test Booths that will run tests to ensure all vehicle cabins remain water proof.
