Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers (KVM) has announced a strategic partnership with BasiGo, the pioneering electric mobility company, to locally assemble King Long buses at its Thika-based facility. This milestone underscores KVM’s commitment to advancing local automotive manufacturing and supporting Kenya’s transition towards sustainable transportation solutions.
The collaboration will see the assembly of modern, high-quality King Long buses, operated under the brand name BasiGO, designed to meet the needs of Kenya’s rapidly evolving public transport sector. By leveraging KVM’s decades of experience in vehicle assembly and Basi Go’s innovation in electric mobility, the initiative will contribute to job creation, skills development, and value addition within the local automotive ecosystem.
Speaking during the launch, CFAO Mobility Kenya Deputy Managing Director, Joshua Anya, highlighted the milestones, a year down the line following CFAO Mobility Kenya’s landmark acquisition of a 99% stake in Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers (KVM). Our investment at KVM is not just about vehicles, it is about investing in our people, providing global technology and driving economic development which delivers positive impact in the automotive sector.
As part of our phased refurbishment of the facility, to upgrade it to global standards, we removed over 35,000 square meters of asbestos roofing, upgraded the assembly plant’s safety infrastructure, and put in place a comprehensive Environment, Health & Safety framework to safeguard our workforce and surrounding communities. These changes reflect our commitment to creating a safe and sustainable workplace.
In addition, we have an ambitious expansion strategy that includes increasing our assembly capacity by introducing dedicated commercial vehicle and separate vehicle assembly lines to cater to all segments of the market. To support this anticipated growth, we will also invest in a new 15,000 square meter logistics warehouse and construct a world-class training school to ensure a continuous pipeline of skilled Kenyan professionals in vehicle assembly.
Local assembly translates to job creation, technical and mechanical skills development, and value addition within our borders. It ensures that Kenyans directly benefit from the growth of the automotive sector.
“This partnership with KVM marks a new chapter for public transport in Kenya as it aligns with Kenya’s industrialisation agenda that focuses on supporting local manufacturing, and the need for sustainable mobility solutions. By assembling King Long buses locally, we are not only boosting the capacity of our plant but also enhancing Kenya’s position as a regional hub for automotive production,” Joshua said.
The buses will feature cutting-edge technology and modern design to ensure safety, comfort, and efficiency for commuters and in the long run create employment opportunities across the supply chain while helping reduce the carbon footprint of urban transport in Kenya.
On his part, BasiGo Managing Director Moses Nderitu noted; “This partnership with KVM marks a new chapter in our continued collaboration with KVM. By assembling King Long buses locally, we will deliver world-class electric buses at an affordable cost to Kenyan operators while creating lasting impact for the local economy. It demonstrates the power of partnership in driving innovation and sustainability.”
KVM, which became majority owned by CFAO Mobility Kenya following an initial investment of Kenya Shillings 2.3 billion, has quickly been positioned as a hub for local assembly excellence. Today, the facility is home to more than 13 global brands and employs over 200 staff, supporting livelihoods and building technical expertise in Kenya’s automotive industry.
