Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers (KVM) has entered into a strategic partnership with BasiGo to locally assemble King Long electric buses at its Thika plant.

The move is expected to boost local automotive manufacturing and accelerate Kenya’s shift towards sustainable transport.

The collaboration will see modern, high-quality King Long buses rolled out under the BasiGo brand, tailored to meet the demands of the country’s changing public transport sector.

The project will also support job creation, skills transfer, and value addition within Kenya’s automotive industry.

Speaking during the launch, CFAO Mobility Kenya Deputy Managing Director Joshua Anya said the partnership comes a year after CFAO Mobility Kenya acquired a 99 per cent stake in KVM. He said the investment was about much more than vehicles.

“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,” Anya said.

As part of ongoing upgrades at the facility, Anya noted that more than 35,000 square meters of asbestos roofing had been removed and the safety infrastructure of the assembly plant modernised.

A new Environment, Health and Safety framework has also been introduced to safeguard employees and the surrounding communities.

He added that CFAO Mobility Kenya has an ambitious expansion plan that will increase assembly capacity by introducing separate production lines for commercial and passenger vehicles.

Plans are also underway to construct a 15,000 square meter logistics warehouse and a world-class training school to equip Kenyans with modern skills 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,” he said.

The King Long electric buses will feature modern technology and advanced design to ensure safety, comfort, and efficiency for commuters.

They are also expected to help cut urban transport emissions while opening up new employment opportunities across the supply chain.

BasiGo Managing Director Moses Nderitu said the collaboration represents a major step forward for the company.

“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,” Nderitu said.

KVM, now majority owned by CFAO Mobility Kenya following a Ksh 2.3 billion investment, has quickly grown into a leading hub for local vehicle assembly.

The facility is home to more than 13 global automotive brands and employs over 200 people, strengthening livelihoods and building technical capacity within Kenya’s automotive sector.