This archive report was first published on 26 June 2020.
It's a rite of passage for many young men: buying their first car. But for one young man, the excitement quickly turned to frustration and financial woes.
After landing a well-paying job, he decided to treat himself to a new set of wheels. However, he soon realized that owning a car was not as glamorous as he thought it would be.
The car, a 1998 Daihatsu with over 420,000 kilometers on it, was a far cry from the sleek, modern vehicles he had seen on Ngong Road car yards. Despite its age, he thought he could fix it up and make it his own.
But as he soon discovered, the car had more problems than he could handle. It stalled on modest hills, struggled to climb steep inclines, and required frequent repairs. The repair costs added up quickly, leaving him feeling financially drained.
But it wasn't just the financial burden that took its toll. The car's poor performance also made him a target for corrupt police officers who would stop him and demand bribes.
It wasn't until he was forced to dispose of the car at a throwaway price that he realized the true cost of owning a car. He was relieved to be free of the financial burden, but also grateful for the lesson he learned about the reality of owning a vehicle.
As he looks back on his experience, he can't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. 'What was your experience with your first car?' he asks, inviting readers to share their own stories of car ownership.
