- A major propeller for this shift has been the rise of car clubs promoting specific makes and models. Prior to this, car ownership had been a personal pursuit with joint experiences not being a priority.
The car culture in Kenya has undergone a revolution in the recent past from a utilitarian necessity to a hi-tech lifestyle revolving around passion, identity, and sociality.
A means of transportation has evolved into an enabling culture where motorsport events, car clubs, and auto shows set the parameters of how humans engage with vehicles. It is this shift that has raised car clubs, colorful car gatherings, and extensive exposure of organized car racing events and drag racing, transforming the perception of car culture among Kenyans.
A major propeller for this shift has been the rise of car clubs promoting specific makes and models. Prior to this, car ownership had been a personal pursuit with joint experiences not being a priority.
They give avenues where those who share the same interests may meet and exchange information about automobiles, for instance, personalization, maintenance, procurement of spares, and driving. The heightened popularity of organized road trips, charity runs, and member-only events is indicative of the general social popularity of car ownership.
Apart from the clubs, car meets and car festivals have become pillars of the new Kenyan car culture. Events such as Sunset GT, Africa Concours d'Elegance, RX Motorsport Kenya, and Pimp My Ride Kenya have gained a following, with programs that provide opportunities to view one-off creations, performance tuning, and luxury cars.
Read More
The programs are viewed by car owners and enthusiasts who wish to view the trends in the customization art, from high-performance turbocharged engines to custom body kits and audio systems. The culture also has grown to include an interest in vintage vehicles, JDM imports, and European luxury cars, further increasing the diversity of local culture.
The trend is similarly evident in surging interest for competitive motor car racing and motorsport. The return of the World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally has again enabled Kenya to capitalize on its rich rally race history, thus motivating more youth to take up competitive motorsport.
Unlike in the past, when tweaks were minor, Kenyan car owners are now splurging on ECU tuning, aerodynamic kits, interior trim, and suspension lifts. These have been joined recently by supercars such as Nissan GTRs, and imported Subaru WRXs, typifying growing zeal for speed and elitism.
As more and more Kenyans adopt this lifestyle, Kenya's automotive industry is poised for continued growth, cementing its reputation as a car enthusiast center of the region.
