Buying a second-hand car in Kenya can feellike stepping into a minefield - from shady deals and hidden problems to the never-ending hustle of keeping your ride on the road. In this episode of Gearhaus, Vanilla and Kalasinga sit down with Joan from 4Real to break it all down. They talk about the biggest challenges car buyers face, clever ways to spot a problem car before it drains your wallet, and the simple habits that can keep your machine running smoother for longer. Of course, it wouldn't be Gearhaus without a dose of banter, laughs, and real talk about what it's like to own and love cars in Kenya.Follow Gearhaus on:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsgearhausInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsgearhaus/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/25ielSDMaSPZYAw4nKxhCf?si=DxpdI6UPS_uYnQc2lk8dgQApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gearhaus/id1839239303
What does it take to push an old car to 2 million kilometers? Or to breath new life into a pile of rust and turn it into a Concours-winning masterpiece?
In this episode of Gearhaus, Vanilla and Kalasinga sit down with Warui, who is renowned for his work restoring VW Kombis, and Burukulyn, a restorer of both cars and chrome.
Together, they reveal their journeys into automotive restoration, the passion that fuels their craft, the cars they personally drive, and what it really takes for anyone to begin the rewarding path of building a classic car.
Warui: https://www.instagram.com/restoration_hub_kenya/
Munene: https://www.instagram.com/buruklyn_munene/
Follow Gearhaus on:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsgearhaus
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsgearhaus/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/25ielSDMaSPZYAw4nKxhCf?si=DxpdI6UPS_uYnQc2lk8dgQ
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gearhaus/id1839239303
Motor insurance in Kenya remains a contentious issue that creates friction between insurers, vehicle owners, and repair shops.
Many car owners feel that insurers are quick to collect premiums but become evasive when claims arise, often directing their clients to garages that deliver substandard work. Another common concern is vehicle valuation, which is sometimes based on limited information and leads to inaccurate assessments that either inflate or undervalue the true worth of a car.
In this episode of Gearhaus, Vanilla and Kalasinga sit down with insurance expert Steve Maika to unpack the challenges facing the motor insurance sector in Kenya and shed light on why it remains so complicated and frustrating for many.
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In the premiere of Gearhaus Season 2, Vanilla and Kalasinga take you back to the very first Gearhaus roadtrip - the cars that turned heads, the unexpected highlights on the highway, and the banter that made it unforgettable.
They break down what stood out most about the machines on show, discuss how different vehicles are really perceived in Kenya, and imagine which cars would bring the most fun if they hit our roads in full force.
It's a mix of stories, culture, and car talk that sets the tone for a bigger, bolder new season.
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TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsgearhaus
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsgearhaus/
Gearhaus is a Palahala Media Group production.
Gearhaus Season 1 is coming to a close, and we’re wrapping it up with Marvin Waigera as he shares his journey of building a brand, starting from his high school days and growing into one of the most respected automotive reviewers today.
It’s a fun, laughter-filled conversation and the perfect way to end the season.
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TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsgearhaus
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsgearhaus/
Gearhaus is a Palahala Media Group production.
In the final episode of our three-part series with Earl, we explore how people find and choose their dream supercars, and how Earl built a global client base along the way.
He also shares stories from his early days working at the embassy, where creativity and hustle were key to getting the job done. It’s proof that car smarts and street smarts often go hand in hand.
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TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsgearhaus
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsgearhaus/
Gearhaus is a Palahala Media Group production.
In this chaotic, hilarious, and surprisingly insightful episode of Gearhaus, we’re joined by the one and only Alex Mwanzo, better known as TurboDiesel.
He’s Kenya’s EV whisperer and a part-time collector of half-finished car projects. From broken-down BMW E30s to Toyotas that probably should have been left in the scrapyard, Alex takes us on a tour of his legendary workshop filled with dreams, detours, and plenty of duct tape.
But it’s not all laughs. Alex also talks about the real future of electric vehicles in Kenya, explains the challenges of conversions, and reveals what’s really holding back EV adoption in the region.
This episode is a must-watch if you want to journey into the mind of Kenya’s funniest DIY mechanic.
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TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsgearhaus
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsgearhaus/
Gearhaus is a Palahala Media Group production.
In this special three-part Gearhaus series, we sit down with Earl Karanja, Kenya’s leading automotive journalist, content creator, and supercar dealer, for an unfiltered conversation about the realities of car culture in the country.
We explore the economics of car ownership as Earl unpacks the hidden layers of taxation, the real cost of dream cars, and why your favorite model can cost three times as much in Nairobi.
This series is a masterclass in passion, persistence, and maneuvering Kenya’s challenging automotive landscape.
Follow Gearhaus on:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsgearhaus
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsgearhaus/
Gearhaus is a Palahala Media Group production.
In this episode of Gearhaus, we sit down with Shlee, Kenya’s fastest female drag racer, to explore her journey from car enthusiast to street racing icon.
She talks about building her powerful Golf R, what it takes to dominate the strip, and how she’s breaking barriers in a male-dominated scene. From tuning secrets to future dream builds, Shlee shares her story like never before.
Follow Gearhaus on:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsgearhaus
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsgearhaus/
Gearhaus is a Palahala Media Group production.
In this special three-part Gearhaus series, we sit down with Earl Karanja, Kenya’s leading automotive journalist, content creator, and supercar dealer, for an unfiltered conversation about the realities of car culture in the country.
We explore the economics of car ownership as Earl unpacks the hidden layers of taxation, the real cost of dream cars, and why your favorite model can cost three times as much in Nairobi.
This series is a masterclass in passion, persistence, and maneuvering Kenya’s challenging automotive landscape.
Follow Gearhaus on:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsgearhaus
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsgearhaus/
Gearhaus is a Palahala Media Group production.
This is the final episode of the three-part series of cars for every budget in Kenya. In this episode we discuss hatchbacks, sedans, crossovers, and SUVs that fall between KES 2 million and KES 5 million.
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TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsgearhaus
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsgearhaus/
Gearhaus is a Palahala Media Group production.
In this episode, we get up close with car 46: A Y61 Nissan Patrol that is built to go where other patrols haven't been.
Mateus of Geco Expeditions joins us to talk about what inspired them to join the Rhino Charge, what it's all about and what it takes to build the ultimate rock crawler.
Follow Gearhaus on:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsgearhaus
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsgearhaus/
Gearhaus is a Palahala Media Group production.
Need wheels? Got a bit of cash to splash? In this episode of Gearhaus, we plunge headfirst into the wild world of car buying in Kenya, from beat 100K beater sedans to sleek 2M cruisers.
Each of us picks our favorite sedans, midsize SUVs, and full-size SUVs at every budget level. Expect banter, beef, and bold takes. 🚗🔥
We talk about pros, cons, surprises, and what to absolutely avoid, so whether you’re a first-timer or thinking of upgrading, this one’s for you.
💬 Drop your budget and dream car in the comments; we might roast it or recommend it!
Follow Gearhaus on:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsgearhaus
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsgearhaus/
Gearhaus is a Palahala Media Group production.
Need wheels? Got a bit of cash to splash? In this episode of Gearhaus, we plunge headfirst into the wild world of car buying in Kenya, from beat 100K beater sedans to sleek 2M cruisers.
Each of us picks our favorite sedans, midsize SUVs, and full-size SUVs at every budget level. Expect banter, beef, and bold takes. 🚗🔥
We talk about pros, cons, surprises, and what to absolutely avoid, so whether you’re a first-timer or thinking of upgrading, this one’s for you.
💬 Drop your budget and dream car in the comments; we might roast it or recommend it!
Follow Gearhaus on:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsgearhaus
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsgearhaus/
Gearhaus is a Palahala Media Group production.
What does it really take to build a race-winning car in Kenya? Can you daily drive a fully tuned machine?
In this explosive episode of Gearhaus, Kalasinga and Vanilla are joined by Leroy of KitKat fame to break down the thrills, challenges, and secrets behind car tuning and Racewars Kenya.
From street-legal beasts to garage-built legends, we go deep into Kenya’s underground racing scene.
🔧 What is tuning and why does it matter?🏁 Can a tuned car survive daily Nairobi traffic?🚗 Real stories from the Racewars frontlines.
Follow Gearhaus on:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsgearhaus
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsgearhaus/
Gearhaus is a Palahala Media Group production.
Where did the passion for cars come from? This is the pilot episode of the Gearhaus podcast.
Follow Gearhaus on:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsgearhaus
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsgearhaus/
Gearhaus is a Palahala Media Group production.
