Isuzu East Africa has ended its nearly five-decade-long partnership with Associated Motors Limited, marking a significant shake-up in the company’s dealer network.
In a statement on March 19, the automaker confirmed that Associated Motors Limited has ceased being an Isuzu East Africa dealer.
“We, however, wish to inform you that Associated Motors Limited has ceased being an Isuzu East Africa dealer,” read part of the statement.
Isuzu East Africa Announces Transition Plans for Customers
The company notified customers previously served by Associated Motors that they will now be transitioned to Isuzu East Africa’s current dealer network.
As explained, this move was intended to ensure uninterrupted support for all clients.
“Customers previously served by Associated Motors will be transitioned to our current dealer network to ensure uninterrupted support,” Isuzu East Africa confirmed.
Isuzu East Africa acknowledged the longstanding contribution of Associated Motors to the brand’s presence in the region. The company also thanked customers for their continued loyalty and trust.
Additionally, it informed its customers that for further assistance, they can contact Isuzu East Africa at 0800 724 724, via email at [email protected], or through its website, www.isuzu.co.ke.
Also Read: Kenya’s Power Players: Rita Kavashe Profile, CEO of Isuzu Motors
Isuzu and Associated Motors Limited Partnership
The official announcement from Isuzu East Africa does not provide any explicit reason for ending the nearly 50-year dealership relationship with Associated Motors Limited. Still, the two have had a long‑standing dealer–manufacturer relationship in Kenya and East Africa.
AML describes itself as one of East Africa’s prime 3S dealerships within the broader Isuzu East Africa dealer structure. For nearly six decades, it was a flagship dealer.
The partnership, dating back to the 1970s, supported Isuzu’s growth in Kenya, where the company recently invested KSh 3.1 billion in a parts hub and began local assembly of models like the MU-X SUV to cut prices by up to 27%.
CFAO Mobility Kenya Becomes Largest Automotive Distributor After Integrating DT Dobie
CFAO Mobility Kenya integrated DT Dobie through an internal restructuring effective April 1, 2023, consolidating operations and expanding its automotive portfolio.
Prior to the merger, CFAO Group’s Kenyan operations included CFAO Mobility Kenya, DT Dobie, and LOXEA Kenya. DT Dobie transferred its business assets to CFAO Mobility Kenya, unifying both under a single entity.
The consolidation created Kenya’s largest automotive distributor, representing 12 brands, over 21 models, and more than 40 service centers nationwide.
DT Dobie entered Members’ Voluntary Liquidation in August 2025 following a June 2025 Special Resolution, with Mark Gakuru appointed as liquidator. The process was a legal formality to ensure regulatory compliance after the asset transfer.
Operations continued seamlessly, with no shutdown, allowing CFAO Mobility Kenya to maintain customer services while expanding its offerings.
East African Market Sees Major Business Exits
Several international and regional companies have scaled back or fully exited parts of the East African market in recent years, with Uber in Tanzania and KOKO Energy in Kenya being the most documented cases.
Uber officially ended its ride‑hailing services in Tanzania on 30 January 2026, after nearly ten years of operations.
Also Read: Kenyan Households Affected as KOKO Networks Shuts Down Operations
The exit was attributed to strict fare and commission regulations, political and diplomatic tensions, and strong competition from Bolt, which is now the dominant platform in the country.
KOKO Networks, a Kenyan clean‑cooking start‑up that supplied subsidised bioethanol fuel and cookstoves through a network of more than 3,000 kiosks, has ceased operations after failing to secure government authorisation to sell carbon credits internationally.
The shutdown was announced at the end of January 2026, with the company entering administration on 1 February 2026.
PricewaterhouseCoopers was appointed as joint administrator for KOKO Networks Limited and KOKO Networks Global Services (Kenya) Limited on 1 February 2026, taking control of the company’s assets and operations as insolvency proceedings began.
Creditors were given a deadline to submit claims as part of the administration process.
