Mombasa, Kenya, October, 5, 2025— Car dealers in Mombasa have appealed to the county government to review licence charges downwards, saying the exorbitant fees are stifling their businesses and discouraging new investors.
The traders, who deal in both new and used vehicles, lamented that the current charges imposed by the Mombasa County Government are too high for small-scale investors to sustain.
Speaking in Mombasa, Charles Robi, a car dealer and Director of Robi Max Auto Trading Limited in Ganjoni, said the high licensing costs have made it difficult for local entrepreneurs to operate and grow their businesses.
“The Mombasa County Government is charging up to KSh165,000 annually per single showroom accommodating about 10 cars. This amount wipes out nearly all the profits a car dealer makes in a year,” said Mr. Robi.
He urged Governor Abdulswamad Sharif Nassir to review the licence rates and engage stakeholders in finding a fair and sustainable structure to attract more investors to the coastal city.
Mr. Robi also decried what he termed as harassment from county enforcement officers, saying the restrictions on parking cars outside showrooms further hurt business operations.
“You are charged such high fees, yet you’re not allowed to park even your personal car in front of your showroom. Once you do, county askaris are quick to clamp it,” he lamented.
Despite the challenges, Robi described Mombasa as a promising investment hub, attracting clients from across the country — including Eldoret, Kisumu, North Eastern, and Nairobi — seeking affordable used cars.
“We serve as an alternative for buyers whose budgets cannot fit brand new cars. Our used vehicles are in excellent condition and serve customers just as well,” he said.
Mr. Robi noted that the car dealership sector in Mombasa has grown significantly over the past decade, with more Kenyan investors venturing into the business.
[A view of the Robi Max Auto Trading Limited headquarters in Ganjoni, Mombasa. There is a growing car dealership business in Mombasa. Photo/Tom Fondo/October, 05, 2025].
“A decade ago, most showrooms were owned by foreigners, mainly from Pakistan. Today, we have over 40 locally owned showrooms in Mombasa, which shows how the industry has expanded,” he said.
He appealed to the county government to support the growing sector by lowering licence fees to encourage more youth to venture into business and become self-reliant.
