Gearhaus

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...

What is the philosophy behind tuning, why do many builds fail, and what does it actually take to make reliable power from Subaru platforms? In Part 2 of the conversation with KunChris, Kalasinga and Vanilla move from the origin story into the technical world of tuning and high-performance builds. We also explore a surprising chapter in his journey - his decision to buy a BMW M135i, a very rare car...

From 2JZ-GTE-powered hot rods to flame-throwing V8 Ford pickups and a Suzuki Samurai transformed into a drift-spec Altezza in just seven days, Calvin de Souza doesn't do ordinary. His builds are bold, chopped, candy-painted, and unapologetically loud, yet beneath it all lies a level of engineering precision that might just surprise you. In this episode of Gearhaus, Kalasinga and Vanilla sit down w...

Long before dyno graphs and big-budget builds became common, KunChris was pushing boundaries and converting a naturally aspirated Subaru Legacy into a turbocharged street missile that embarrassed cars far above its class. In this first part, Kalasinga and Vanilla sit with KunChris to discuss the origins of Kenya’s Subaru tuning scene and the story behind the legendary "Mama Legacy." We talk about:...

From touring humanity's cradle at Koobi Fora with an 8-month-old baby to conquering the sand dunes of Namibia's Empty Quarter, the chief Nomad takes us on a journey through building one of Africa's most daring overland communities. In the second part of this two-part episode, wakilinomad (as he's popularly known) shares the adventures of traveling to some of the most remote parts of Kenya, the les...

From touring humanity's cradle at Koobi Fora with an 8-month-old baby to conquering the sand dunes of Namibia's Empty Quarter, the chief Nomad takes us on a journey through building one of Africa's most daring overland communities. In the first part of this two-part episode, wakilinomad (as he's popularly known) shares how his fledgling dreams of building a tour company were nearly crushed by the...

Thinking of buying a hybrid in Kenya? They say hybrid cars are "good for the environment," but are they also good for your wallet or your sanity when the mechanic gives you a bill that could pay the country's entire debt? In this episode, Kalasinga and Vanilla are joined by hybrid expert Nyambura the Motorist to answer the burning question: are hybrids really made for Kenyan roads, or are we just...

Season 3 of Gearhaus kicks off with predictions for the most popular cars Kenyans could buy in 2026, based on market trends and upcoming releases. In this episode, Kalasinga and Vanilla break down highlights from recent motor shows, discuss new vehicle launches and sales figures from South Africa and Japan, and explore fuel efficiency trends and the impact of the grey import market. Follow Gearhau...

Kim Musau, who is better known as Alpha Land Rover, successfully completed an epic solo journey from Nairobi, Kenya, to Nordkapp, Norway, driving his 1997 Land Rover Defender 110 over 18,000 km across 16 countries in 3 months In this final episode of a two-part series, Kim sits with Kalasinga and Vanilla to tell the story of this feat that followed a massive 33,000 km African expedition, proving t...

Ibrahim Toloi is his name, but many know him as Papa Askofu or the face behind Carnversations, one of the biggest car review shows in Kenya. In this episode of Gearhaus, Kalasinga and Vanilla sit down with Toloi to discuss the Toyota Hilux six-speed automatic gearbox and compare a range of vehicles, from hatchbacks to luxury sedans. The conversation also covers build quality, performance, fuel eco...

Kay Wachira is a legend in the underground racing scene. From his early days pushing the boundaries of what a car can do to time trials in the more established competitions, Kay speaks with Kalasinga and Vanilla about the rich history of motorsports, car modifications, and what it takes to organize a successful motoring event. Guest:Kay Wachira: https://www.instagram.com/kaywachira/Follow Gearhaus...

Gearhaus' first installment of a seasoned overlander is brought to you by Kim Musau, who is better known as Alpha Landrover. With his 1997 Land Rover Defender 110, Kim sits with Vanilla and Kalasinga and recounts the vehicle's extensive travel history across Africa and beyond, with tales that you would not believe. Guest: Kim Musau: https://www.instagram.com/alphalandrover/ Follow Gearhaus on: Tik...