The High Court has appointed an official liquidator for DT Dobie, formally winding up the iconic car dealer months after it transferred its business assets to CFAO Mobility Motors Kenya, formerly Toyota Kenya.
In an insolvency notice issued by the High Court of Kenya on August 15, 2025, the Official Receiver announced that the liquidation follows a Special Resolution passed on June 3, 2025.
“Pursuant to the provisions of the Insolvency Act, take notice that the Official Receiver was appointed as Liquidator of the property of D.T. Dobie & Company (Kenya) Limited following a Special Resolution dated 3rd day of June, 2025,” the notice reads in part.
The Official Receiver further notified creditors to submit their claims by filing Proof of Debts (Form No. 5) through the Business Registration Service portal at www.brsv2.ecitizen.go.ke on or before September 15, 2025.
Creditors must submit full particulars of their claims to the Liquidator either personally or through their advocates. Failure to do so could result in exclusion from any distributions made before such debts are proved.
D.T. Dobie and CFAO Motors Kenya announced an operational merger in 2023, part of a broader internal reorganization by CFAO Group aimed at streamlining its automotive operations in Kenya.
As part of the merger, D.T. Dobie transferred all its business assets to CFAO Motors Kenya effective April 1, 2023, with the two entities now operating under a single brand — CFAO Motors Kenya.
Prior to the merger, both companies operated independently despite their common ownership.
The integration was driven by CFAO Group’s strategy to harmonize its African operations under the unified CFAO brand. This included aligning its Kenyan subsidiaries under one mobility business structure to enhance market competitiveness and operational efficiency.
CFAO Mobility Kenya is now led by Managing Director Arvinder Reel, with operations structured into various divisions. The Toyota and Yamaha Division, overseen by Deputy Managing Director Joshua Anya, manages the Toyota brand, Automark pre-owned vehicles, and the Yamaha two-wheel segment.
Founded by David T Dobie, a former British army officer, in 1949, DT Dobie was the official dealer of Mercedes Benz in East Africa for decades.
The court’s directive signals the end of DT Dobie’s corporate existence after seven decades in the Kenyan car market — but its brands and services will continue under the CFAO Motors Kenya banner.
In addition to Mercedes-Benz, DT Dobie was also the official dealer for Nissan, Suzuki, Maruti, and Jeep.
The restructuring reflects CFAO’s deepening presence in the region. The CFAO Group, fully owned by Japan’s Toyota Tsusho Corporation (TTC), operates in 46 African countries and is a leading automotive distributor on the continent.
