About Us – Leasing Association of Kenya

LEASING ASSOCIATION OF KENYA

The Leasing Association of Kenya (LAK) is an Umbrella Association of Asset Finance and Leasing Practitioners in Kenya. Our members include Independent Leasing Companies (Lessors), Financiers (Banks), Insurance Companies, Motor Vehicle & Equipment Dealers and other Stakeholders who are actively involved in the Leasing Industry in Kenya.

Leasing Association of Kenya (LAK) connects its members with the regulators and other stakeholders, working to ensure a strong leasing sector supporting the Kenyan economy. We advocate for this on relevant regulatory initiatives, provide expertise and training on a wide range of topics, publish valuable statistical reports and research on our industry, and create a community of lessors and others to exchange on relevant topics.

The mandate of Leasing Association of Kenya (LAK) is to bring together all Stakeholders who are engaged in the Leasing of Vehicles and Equipment to develop a sustainable leasing business industry in Kenya. This mandate is achieved via the following key activities:

Creating awareness of leasing benefits in Kenya through topical seminars, workshops, conventions and research studies targeted at various stakeholders
Lobbying and advocacy for regulatory reforms to improve/ increase use of leasing in Kenya
Training and capacity building for lease professionals
Self regulation and control of ethical behaviour among industry players
Enhancing Corporate Social Responsibility as part of the association’s efforts to contribute to the overall wellbeing of society beyond leasing

WHAT WE DO

In order to add value to the members as well as enhance the sustainability of the industry, LAK continuously seeks strategic partners. The Association of Kenya Credit Providers (AKCP) is one such partner whom LAK established a working relationship in 2013.

AKCP was registered in April 2013 to promote credit information sharing in Kenya by all credit providers while promoting consumer protection best practices. AKCP members include, but not limited to: commercial banks, microfinance institutions, Higher Education Loans Board, asset finance and leasing companies, SACCO’s, utility companies, insurance companies, hospitals, consumer retailers, etc.

To find out more about the AKCP, please visit http://ciskenya.co.ke

LAK was instrumental in driving regulatory reforms that improved lease operations in Kenya as follows:

The definition of “Commercial” with respect to the type of leased cars was clarified in the Income Tax rules.
The definition of “Assets” was clarified in the Income Tax rules with the exclusion of buildings and land.
With Holding Tax on lease transactions were removed from a high of 15%.
The need to have approval from Kenya Revenue Authoriy at end of lease terms was removed.
The Clawback Provision in the event of non-conformity with the Income Tax Rules on Leasing was clarified to also include Lessor’s perspectives.

LAK contributed to the Review of Leasing Framework in Kenya where an External Consultant was engaged by the Government of Kenya. The recommendations presented can be found here.