Gearhaus

Can Kenyan roads be safe for motorists, or have we become too comfortable with dangerous driving? In Episode 7 of Gearhaus, Rex, popularly known as "Kigonyi Wa Nduthi," joins Kalasinga and Vanilla in the studio for an unfiltered conversation about the realities of riding and driving on Kenyan roads. We examine Kenya's road safety crisis, recent fatal highway accidents, and whether ro...

What does it take to push a race car beyond its limits? In this episode of Gearhaus, Kalasinga and Vanilla sit down with Karan Rupal of Rupal Racing to explore the engineering, persistence, and passion behind one of the scene's standout builds. From late nights troubleshooting complex setups to fine-tuning boost and horsepower, the conversation gets into the technical challenges of building a...

Can you survive 10 years on two wheels on Nairobi’s chaotic roads? In this episode of Gearhaus, Kalasinga and Vanilla sit down with veteran biker Shiku to discuss what it takes to travel on Kenya’s roads on a motorcycle. We discuss the long-running tension between car drivers and motorcycle riders, road safety, protective gear, and the realities of daily traffic on two wheels. Some of the things t...

It has officially been one year since the Nissan Patrol project landed in the workshop. What started out as an optimistic "three-month job" quickly unraveled into discovering hidden rust beneath thick body filler, pressure-washing mud out of the chassis, and facing the realities of a full, ground-up rebuild. In this late-night episode, we catch up right next to the stripped-down chassis...

Hey ladies! Have you ever walked into a mechanic shop and felt intimidated, or wondered whether that strange dashboard light or engine noise is actually serious? In this episode of Gearhaus, Kalasinga and Vanilla sit down with Diana and Purity to answer some of the most common car questions, maintenance myths, and mechanical issues that many women, and plenty of men, may feel too awkward or unsure...

What does it take to overland across Africa in a classic Toyota Land Cruiser 80 Series? In this episode of Gearhaus, Kalasinga and Vanilla sit down with Zach to talk about what African overland travel is really like. From road-tripping in a Toyota Prius to taking an 80 Series Land Cruiser through Zambia, Namibia and Northern Kenya, he shares what he has learned along the way. We talk about the 4x4...

Gearhaus is back with Season 5, and we kick it off with one of Kenya’s most dedicated car builders: Melvin Mulanda. Melvin purchased an accident-damaged Audi A5 as a daily cruiser but later embarked on a 4½-year mission to chase 500+ horsepower. In this episode, Kalasinga and Vanilla sit down with Melvin to discuss the reality of unconventional car builds in Kenya. We discuss forging the 2.0L TFSI...

What does it take to drive halfway across the world? In this episode of Gearhaus, Kalasinga and Vanilla meet Sam and Em, better known as The Adventure Way, who spent 222 days driving from London to Nairobi in a 1976 Toyota Land Cruiser. Through this special episode, we learn everything including preparation, border crossings, breakdowns, mechanical challenges, and the sheer determination required...

Can Kenya really build its own automotive industry? In this episode of Gearhaus, Kalasinga and Vanilla discuss the current state of Kenya's automotive sector, exploring local vehicle assembly, government policy, market trends, and what the future could look like for manufacturing in East Africa. From the realities of "Made in Kenya" production to Isuzu's market dominance, the con...

If you've ever dreamed of owning a Defender, this might be the reality check you need. In this episode of Gearhaus, Kalasinga and Vanilla are joined by CJ, a filmmaker and lifelong Land Rover enthusiast whose blood group is "Land Rover." From the unmatched heritage and undeniable cool factor to the constant battle against rust, leaks, and endless repairs, CJ shares what it's real...

Is NTSA actually making our roads safer, or is the rollout creating more problems than it solves? In this episode, Kalasinga and Vanilla are joined by a special guest (the original Gearhaus host) to unpack one of the biggest topics in Kenya's motoring scene: the new NTSA instant fine system and the upcoming mandatory private vehicle inspections. While fair, automated traffic enforcement is som...

Is Kenya a copycat nation when it comes to cars? Which vehicles are actually selling, and why is the "Kimani/Auntie" car stereotype still so common? In this episode of Gearhaus, Kalasinga and Vanilla are joined by Anthony from Car 360 to answer these questions using real market data. From the popularity of the Mazda Demio and Toyota Vitz to the large number of Harriers and SUVs listed by...

In this second episode of our two-part series with Jeremy Mwendwa (aka El Gapo), Kalasinga and Vanilla pick up right where the heartbreak left off. After the Masaku TT tire split and a frustrating serpentine belt failure, Jeremy reveals the impulsive, "on-the-moment" decision that led him to buy the Audi TTRS and how a matching watch and his daughter’s approval sealed the deal. We discuss: - The T...

After winning the drag races in Konza, he parked his car and only turned it on to go to Arusha, where he also won the rolling and drag races! In this episode of Gearhaus, Kalasinga and Vanilla are joined by Jeremy Mwendwa, who is better known as El Gapo, to discuss how a simple wish to have a fast weekend car turned into a passion for being the fastest on the drag strip. From the adrenaline of his...

What started as a personal project to solve his own "car headaches" has grown into a specialized business that breathes new life into vintage Mercedes-Benz, Volvos, and even Alfa Romeos. In this episode of Gearhaus, Kalasinga and Vanilla go out to meet Peter Mbiria, the mastermind behind Voltarent ECU, who is revolutionizing how we maintain and performance-tune classic vehicles. Peter’s story is o...

What does it take for a young Kenyan to break into the world of professional motorsport? In this episode, Kalasinga and Vanilla host Amani Kinyua, one of Africa's most promising young karting talents, alongside his father, Justus Kinyua, to discuss the journey from watching Formula One on TV to competing and winning races across Africa and beyond. Amani shares how his passion for racing began, the...

Ferrari recently dropped their latest car, shocking the world, and not for the right reasons. What happens when legendary brands stop listening to enthusiasts? Why are Mercedes and Porsche facing growing criticism? And while Europe struggles to define the future of cars, are China and America quietly taking the lead? In this episode, Kalasinga and Vanilla are joined by Earl Karanja to discuss one...

We're back for another season, and we assure you, this one will be bigger than the last. To kick off the new season, we'll start right in the deep end of absolute chaos, with Kalasinga and Vanilla discussing major project car updates and also dishing some controversial modern car takes. After what feels like an eternity, Vanilla is finally giving us a detailed update on the Nissan Patrol M57 swap...

Petrol is up by KES 28. Diesel by KES 40. At this point, owning a car in Kenya is no longer just about convenience. Now, you have to be strategic. In this special out-of-season episode, we get into the finer details of what these increases mean for everyday drivers and, more importantly, how you can adapt. From driving habits and maintenance to smarter trip planning, we go through practical ways t...

A 490-acre, FIA-grade motorsport facility with a 4.4 km main track and multiple track layouts. That is the idea behind Suguroi Motorcity, an automotive hub being developed in Kenya. In the final episode of Season 3, Kalasinga and Vanilla sit down with Motho Kimotho, one of the people behind the Suguroi Motorsports Arena, to talk about what it takes to bring this vision to life. They discuss how th...

Subaru is discontinuing the WRX S4 in Japan, Mercedes is phasing out the V12 in favor of V8s with similar power, and Volvo and Volkswagen are ranking among the worst vehicles in dependability due to software-related issues. In this week’s episode, Kalasinga and Vanilla discuss the current state of the car industry, which appears to be raising more questions than answers. Beyond the news, we get in...

We all have a dream car we hope to own one day, or maybe you already do. People admire them, but one thing that rarely gets talked about is the true cost of ownership. In this episode, Kalasinga and Vanilla talk about high-performance cars that are expensive to maintain, the hidden complexity behind routine servicing, the risks of poorly modified 4x4 suspension setups and death wobble, why old lux...

Why are there so many speed bumps? Do speed limits actually make sense, and can roads be designed in a way that forces better driving behavior? In this episode of Gearhaus, Kalasinga and Vanilla sit down with June and Gakii, two civil engineers by profession, to break down the real issues affecting Kenyan roads, and it’s deeper than just traffic. We get into: The logic (and misuse) of speed bumps...

In this short episode of Gearhaus, Kalasinga and Vanilla sit down with two technicians from Inchcape Kenya, the official dealer for BMW in Kenya. They walk us through what it really means to work on modern BMWs, the level of training and diagnostics involved, and what sets dealership technicians apart from independent mechanics. From specialized tools and factory software to continuous technical t...

The Peugeot 504 is one of the most legendary cars ever built for African roads. Known for its incredible durability, long-travel suspension, and simple mechanical design, it earned a reputation as a car that could survive almost anywhere. But can a decades-old car with a carburetor engine still handle a continental road trip in 2026? In this episode of Gearhaus, Kalasinga and Vanilla host a man at...