ODPP headquarters in Nairobi/FILE
Kenyans looking for affordable vehicles will have an opportunity to buy government-owned cars for as little as Sh30,000 after the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) announced a public auction of unserviceable vehicles and surplus assets later this month.
According to a public notice dated July 7, issued by the agency, the auction will be held on July 22 at 10 am at the ODPP's Nairobi offices, with interested buyers required to inspect the vehicles between July 9 and July 17 during normal working hours.
The auction catalogue shows several vehicles carrying reserve prices of Sh30,000, making them among the cheapest lots on offer.
They include a Toyota Hilux, a Toyota Corolla, a Suzuki Maruti and a Peugeot 504.
Other vehicles listed for sale include Nissan Tiidas, Toyota Corollas, a Nissan X-Trail, Toyota Hilux pickups, a Toyota Hiace van and a Suzuki motorcycle, with reserve prices ranging from Sh40,000 to Sh285,000.
The vehicles are spread across the ODPP's offices in different parts of the country.
While most are stationed at the Nairobi headquarters, others are located in Kapenguria, Embu, Tharaka Nithi, Garissa, Marsabit, Siaya, Migori and Lodwar.
The 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, a Nissan Tiida in Migori, and several Toyota, Nissan, Peugeot and Suzuki vehicles in Nairobi, where interested bidders will inspect them before the auction.
Besides vehicles, the ODPP will also dispose of assorted office furniture, ICT accessories, equipment, old vehicle spare parts, tyres and batteries as part of efforts to clear obsolete and surplus government assets.
"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 in accordance with the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015 and the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Regulations, 2020," the notice states.
The agency said the auction is being conducted by Trenad Auctioneers, with all items to be sold on an "as is, where is" basis, meaning buyers will purchase the assets in their current condition without warranties.
Prospective buyers will be required to pay a refundable deposit equivalent to 10 per cent of the reserve price for each motor vehicle they wish to bid for.
Those interested in the assorted stores will pay a refundable Sh5,000 deposit before being issued with bidding numbers.
"The deposit will be refunded to unsuccessful bidders," the ODPP said, adding that each deposit will apply to only one motor vehicle.
Successful bidders will have to 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 lead to forfeiture of the deposit.
The ODPP further warned that buyers must collect their purchased vehicles within 14 days after the auction or face a storage charge of Sh2,000 per day.
Those interested have also been urged to download the auction catalogue from the ODPP website and verify the condition and particulars of the vehicles before placing bids.
"Interested bidders are urged to verify the details of the motor vehicles, as particulars are not warranted by ODPP or the auctioneer whatsoever," the notice says.
The disposal exercise is part of routine government asset management aimed at removing obsolete, unserviceable and surplus property from public institutions while generating revenue for the State.
Among the highest-priced vehicles in the catalogue is a Toyota Hiace with a reserve price of Sh285,000, followed by a Toyota Hilux at Sh250,000 and two other Hilux pickups at Sh220,000 each.
With several vehicles priced well below prevailing market rates, the auction is expected to attract strong interest from bargain hunters, used-car dealers and members of the public seeking affordable transport.
