Buying a Used Car or Refurbished Phone? Ichung’wah Wants New Rules

National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has advocated for mandatory labeling of refurbished electronic devices and full disclosure of vehicle accident histories to protect buyers from paying full price for used or repaired goods.

Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, Ichung’wah criticized unscrupulous traders who package reconditioned laptops and smartphones as brand-new products, specifically highlighting how such practices exploit students.

Curbing Misleading Sales of Refurbished Tech

Ichung’wah pointed out that many sellers perform cosmetic repairs on second-hand electronics, such as replacing screens and keyboards, without disclosing the items’ reconditioned status to consumers.

“A lot of refurbished laptops and computers are being sold, mostly to our students. And they are being taken advantage of, because they have all been cleaned up, they have changed the screens, they all look new, and you change the keyboard, but you do not label it as a reconditioned or refurbished item,” he said.

He stressed that vendors routinely charge brand-new retail prices for these restored units, leaving buyers in the dark regarding actual product lifespan and history.

Turning his focus to mobile devices, Ichung’wah insisted that transparency must become standard across all consumer tech transactions.

“If you are selling a reconditioned or refurbished iPhone 18 or 16, you must disclose to the consumer that this is a refurbished item, it is reconditioned and not new, and clear labeling must be done to ensure that that is done,” he said.

Demanding Full History Reports for Used Vehicles

Beyond consumer electronics, the Majority Leader called for strict disclosure laws within the motor vehicle market. He noted that car buyers frequently purchase vehicles with extensive accident damage because sellers conceal structural repairs behind fresh paint and replaced body panels.

Drawing a comparison with aviation standards, Ichung’wah noted that aircraft buyers routinely access complete maintenance logs, whereas car buyers lack basic history protections. He proposed legislation requiring auto sellers to provide certified records detailing a vehicle’s mileage, repair background, and prior accident involvement before closing any sale, empowering buyers to make fully informed financial decisions.

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