The Kenya Motor Repairers Association (KEMRA) has been in existence since 2002 when it was incorporated and represents the interests of the vast majority of the formal motor body repairers market in Kenya. Its mission is to bring together all established organisations in the automotive repair business for the advancement of their welfare with a vision of being an institution that provides expertis
e,advice, information and proactive business support to the motor industry. KEMRA trains members and their staff to develop and improve skills and other capacities, commissions studies, and Researches on matters concerning the industry through partnerships with the Government and other stakeholders. KEMRA also provides a central forum to discuss common issues and represents industry interests and establish linkages and work with other persons or bodies to further the objectives of the association. As a lobby group, KEMRA is engaged in correspondences as well as discussions with the different stakeholders in the industry. Some of the stakeholders working closely with KEMRA include the Ministry of Industrialisation, National Planning and Vision 2030, Kenya Bureau of Standards and Motor Assessors Association of Kenya (MAAK). Others are the Association of Kenya Insurers (AKI), the National Association of Kenya Investigators (NAKI), the Business Advocacy Fund (BAF), and other professional bodies. One of the linkages KEMRA has with Government agencies is Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) Technical Committee on road vehicles (TC-122).This committee is involved with developing standards on road vehicle industry. KEMRA was invited to sit in TC-122 when the committee participated in the development of code of practice on importation of used automotive spare parts referred to as Kenya standard dks2190-2009. KEMRA also plans to partner with KEBS in order to develop standards for body shop repairers. The development of these standards will help streamline the industry and ensure only qualifi ed personnel run garage businesses. This will ensure quality, professionalism and public con-
fi dence in the industry. KEMRA is working together with other stakeholders in the industry to develop good work ethics and to ensure that there is professionalism. Working groups have been developed and regular meetings take place to discuss issues that affect the different stakeholders.This has led to the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between KEMRA, MAAK, NAKI and AKI. The document gives guidelines towards developing standards and benchmarks on fees, painting charges, labour, re-inspection,timelines, investigation reports, fee payment among others. Other terms of reference to be worked on were to come up with best practices in management of motor claims, to come up with recommendations on how to minimise fraud as well to enhance information sharing among the stakeholders. However, the experience has not been encouraging. The memorandum of understanding has not been honoured and there is a lot of malpractice still going on. This is as a result of the delay in payments and stakeholders not honouring the agreement. KEMRA still intends to re-engage the stakeholders and continue to lobby vigorously through various channels among them the media to make players understand the importance of honouring the agreement and working professionally. The Business Advocacy Fund is also helping KEMRA through funding and training in advocacy. This will help KEMRA to be better negotiators and achieve the dream of running their businesses Professionally and in a friendly environment. Furthermore, one of the challenges that stalk the auto repair industry in the country is the issue of roadside garages. These makeshift Garages have created an image to the effect that the auto repair sector is random and disorganised. KEMRA strives to streamline this image by ensuring that all of its members are vetted before joining the association.KEMRA has a grading criteria and a technical committee to ensure only garages that meet the minimum grading criteria for entry are taken on board. This is the dividing line between KEMRA garages and roadside ones.KEMRA garages operate in enclosed premises with a roof and adequate security. The business has to be insured against theft and fire and has to have the necessary equipment and skilled personnel. We try to educate the public to take their cars to KEMRA garages. Enquiries can be done through the secretariat or the web site (www.kemra.co.ke) to access a garage within reach easily. Cars are expensive and to entrust them with roadside garages that is not insured is a great risk. The qualifi cation of the mechanic who repairs the car is usually not certain. KEMRA members have qualifi ed staff and there is guarantee on workmanship. Refreshment is served while a client waits to be attended to. Customer satisfaction and follow up is done to ensure motorists enjoy service unlike in roadside garages that are dusty,and without proper working facilities. The age old adage that cheap is expensive is true. Cheap means that the service you are getting is not up to the standards. Parts may not be genuine and guarantee on workmanship is not there. KEMRA workshops are modest in pricing commensurate with the quality work that they do. These are professionals who know what they are doing and can even tell a client the time frame needed to complete an assignment.
