A simple question posed by blogger Cyprian Nyakundi has triggered a flood of responses from borrowers, bankers, valuers, auctioneers, and transport operators across Kenya

Why does it feel like Kenyatta family owned NCBA is always the bank behind vehicle auctions in Kenya?

Every week there seems to be another batch of repossessed cars linked to NCBA. Is it because they finance more vehicles than everyone else, are their recovery processes more aggressive, or are borrowers struggling more with their loans?

Kenyans who have borrowed, worked in banking, car yards or auctions... what is the real story?

Why does it feel like NCBA is always behind vehicle auctions? ¶

Week after week, Kenyans scrolling through auction notices are met with the same sight: repossessed lorries, buses, pickups, SUVs, and personal vehicles being sold to recover loans, many of them linked to NCBA Bank.

While some critics have interpreted this as evidence of aggressive debt recovery, industry insiders paint a more complex picture—one that exposes Kenya's growing vehicle finance culture, risky borrowing habits, and the harsh reality that often follows the dream of vehicle ownership.

NCBA's DNA Is Asset Finance ¶

One theme emerged consistently from dozens of responses: NCBA's dominance in vehicle auctions is closely tied to its dominance in vehicle financing.

Before becoming NCBA, NIC Bank built its reputation largely around asset financing. Even after the merger that created NCBA, the institution retained one of the largest vehicle financing portfolios in Kenya.

Many transport companies, logistics operators, contractors, ride-hailing drivers, and individual vehicle owners have acquired vehicles through NCBA facilities.

As several respondents pointed out, a bank that finances more vehicles will naturally repossess more vehicles when loans go bad.

"Because it is the only asset-finance-focused lender in Kenya," one commenter observed.

Another noted:

"NCBA has financed more vehicles on Kenyan roads than almost any other bank, especially commercial and business vehicles."

In short, if a lender controls a large share of the vehicle finance market, it will inevitably dominate the repossession market as well.

The Seduction of Easy Financing ¶

Perhaps the most revealing insights came from industry professionals who have worked directly with vehicle financing transactions.

One vehicle valuer explained that many borrowers become attracted by NCBA's fast approval process and relatively flexible financing terms.

According to the valuer, many applicants focus heavily on how easy it is to obtain financing while paying little attention to the long-term repayment burden.

"NCBA finance is very fast, simple and less demanding. Their offer letters are among the fastest you can get from any bank," he explained.

But therein lies the problem.

The easier the process, the more likely borrowers who may not be financially prepared can access financing.

The valuer revealed that many clients often struggle even to raise the mandatory deposit required for financing.

In some cases, borrowers allegedly pressure valuers to inflate vehicle values so that financing can effectively cover the entire cost of the vehicle.

"Most clients cannot raise the required deposit. They try to convince valuers to overvalue the vehicle so the financing covers almost 100 percent of the purchase price," he said.

While the paperwork may look attractive, reality often strikes once monthly repayments begin.

The Dangerous Promise of 100% Financing ¶

Several respondents pointed to another growing trend in Kenya's vehicle finance market: the rise of near-100% financing.

Sales teams and dealerships frequently market financing packages that require little or no upfront capital from borrowers.

For many aspiring vehicle owners, especially first-time transport investors, the offer appears irresistible.

One commenter noted:

"Salespeople only want to make a sale. They entice buyers through 100% financing, which makes it very easy for the buyer to default because the monthly repayments become too high."

Another respondent warned that some institutions go even further by financing the vehicle while simultaneously extending additional working capital loans.

The result is that borrowers begin their businesses carrying massive debt obligations from day one.

When revenues fail to match projections, defaults quickly follow.

The Trucking Dream That Turns Into a Nightmare ¶

One story shared online captured a scenario familiar to many transport investors.

According to the account, a borrower was approached with what appeared to be a highly profitable truck financing arrangement.

The numbers looked convincing.

The truck was projected to generate KSh350,000 per month while loan repayments would consume only KSh180,000.

On paper, the business appeared capable of generating healthy profits.

However, once the truck hit the road, reality differed significantly from the projections.

Operating costs, maintenance, fuel expenses, downtime, and market fluctuations quickly eroded profitability.

Within months, the borrower reportedly fell into arrears and the vehicle was repossessed.

"The calculations looked perfect on paper. On the ground, everything was different," the commenter recalled.

Borrowers Tell Stories of Painful Recoveries ¶

While some defended NCBA's practices as standard banking procedures, others described painful experiences after falling behind on repayments.

One borrower claimed that after delays in repayment, recovery agents eventually located and repossessed his vehicle.

To recover the vehicle, he says he was required to clear outstanding arrears, pay towing charges, and settle storage fees.

Another borrower alleged that his vehicle was repossessed shortly after falling behind on payments.

"Two days late and the car is taken away. One day they took my car in Murang'a. My blood pressure went through the roof," he claimed.

These experiences have fueled perceptions that NCBA operates a particularly aggressive recovery model compared to some competitors.

However, others argue that the bank is simply enforcing contractual agreements designed to protect depositor funds.

Is NCBA Aggressive—or Just Efficient? ¶

The debate ultimately centers on whether NCBA's recovery processes are unusually aggressive or simply more efficient than those of other lenders.

Some borrowers argue that institutions such as KCB provide more flexibility and longer negotiation periods before repossession.

Others counter that banks are not charities.

"If you don't recover loans, you end up with a non-performing loan portfolio that eats into profits," one respondent noted.

Another was more blunt:

"NCBA doesn't just lend money. It also collects what it lends. This is business."

The truth may lie somewhere in the middle.

Banks must balance customer relationships with the responsibility of protecting depositors' money.

When loans stop performing, repossession often becomes the final option.

The Bigger Problem: Living Beyond Our Means ¶

Perhaps the most uncomfortable observation came from professionals who believe the real issue extends far beyond NCBA.

According to many industry insiders, Kenya is experiencing a growing culture of borrowing beyond one's financial capacity.

Easy financing, aggressive marketing, social pressure, and the desire to own vehicles often combine to create situations where borrowers commit to repayment obligations they cannot realistically sustain.

"Many people are simply living beyond their means," one industry expert observed.

In numerous cases, borrowers who struggle to raise deposits are simultaneously taking on loan obligations that stretch their finances to the limit.

When economic conditions worsen, fuel prices rise, contracts disappear, or businesses slow down, the loan becomes impossible to service.

The result is predictable: repossession.

What Kenyans Should Learn ¶

The discussion sparked by Nyakundi's question reveals a broader lesson about debt and asset financing.

NCBA may dominate vehicle auctions because it dominates vehicle financing.

Its fast approval process and strong asset-finance business have made it one of Kenya's leading lenders in the sector.

But the responses also reveal a recurring pattern: many borrowers enter financing arrangements based on optimistic projections without fully appreciating the risks involved.

For some, vehicle ownership through credit creates wealth and business opportunities.

For others, it becomes an expensive lesson in debt, interest, and the unforgiving reality of loan repayments.

Behind every auctioned vehicle is usually the same story: a dream that looked affordable on paper but became unsustainable once reality took over.