Isuzu Launches Locally Assembled Luxury SUV mu-X in Kenya

On 2 February 2026, Isuzu East Africa officially launched the locally assembled luxury sport utility vehicle (SUV) model mu-X. Assembly started in November 2025, and the finished vehicle started rolling off the line at the beginning of 2026.

During the launch, Isuzu presented the two variants of the mu-X: the 1.9-liter model will retail at KSH 8.9 million, while the 3.0-liter variant will cost KSH 9.9 million. Compared to an imported unit going for KSH 13.5 million, the locally produced 3.0-liter version provides a savings of nearly 30%.

“Because of the trust and loyalty of our customers, we are now able to bring the mu-X closer to them, locally assembled to ensure better availability, competitive pricing, and a vehicle built specifically for their driving needs and lifestyle.”

Isuzu East Africa Chair and CEO Rita Kavashe

“This is a big day not just for Kenya but for our business globally, The plant operations managed here fully meet the high-quality standards expected by our mother plant in Thailand.”

Isuze Motors International Ops President Junichi Kubo

The Ministry of Trade and Industry was represented by Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui. He underscored that the locally made vehicle is in line with Kenya’s industrialization agenda. He also commended the key roles that SME play in the supply chain of vehicle manufacturing. “Buy Kenya, Build Kenya” is not an empty slogan but it has now been realized through the rolling off the production line of the Isuzu mu-X SUV.

Junichi Kubo, President of International Operations at Isuzu Motors, flew all the way from Japan to attend the launch ceremony. He underlined that the production of the first SUV locally in Kenya is the result of a broader strategy to foster Local Value Addition (#LVA) in line with the Kenyan government policy to promote ‘Buy Kenya, Build Kenya.’ Under the common market of AfCFTA, COMESA, and EAC, Isuzu ambitions to take on the regional market.