Former BBA contestant, Sheila Kwamboka: I am a self-confessed 'matatu driver'

What do you call your car?

I do not have a special name for my car, but that does not mean I don’t love my machine.

What stuff have you added to your car to give it a personal touch?

(Laughs) I haven’t added anything. It is my second car and I guess I fell in love with it the way it was. I am, however, planning to buy her new rims, some new tint, a new sound and a shower.

What girly stuff do you carry in your car?

Vaseline (if it counts). I am not girly. That shows even in my choice of cars. Besides, I do not think girly cars get any respect on the roads — a case in point is the Vitz.

What do you love most about your car?

My car has the biggest reserve tank ever, so on those days I am broke, I can roll around with the tank on E (reserve) for about three days. How amazing is that?

What don’t you like about your car?

I wish it had feelings so that on those days the battery is flat and I am late for a meeting or when I am broke and its due for service, it would care about my situation and just continue to function as normal (smiles).

Approximately how much do you spend on your car in a month?

A lot; cars are not cheap to maintain — insurance, service, fuel, spare parts, oil change and all the accessories. Sometimes I just want to leave it outside a car home and run away, but I feel attached to my baby.

Do you know how to change a tyre?

(Laughs) I know how to change a tyre, but haven’t tried.

Are you a manual or automatic kind of girl?

I used to like manual, but the convenience of a well-serviced automatic car goes without saying. With the traffic in Nairobi, a manual car is a full workout.

Do you feel that your current car represents you?

I guess in a number of ways. It has lots of scars and so do I. It’s strong like I am. It can withstand anything just like I can.

Driving in Nairobi is no easy feat. What’s your experience like?

I have traffic rage sometimes, but I am a self-confessed ‘matatu driver’. I do not waste time on the road and I seize all opportunities to get ahead without necessarily flouting traffic rules. I learnt early to never be intimidated on the road. Trust me, indecisiveness and selfishness is the root of all traffic sins.

Are you one of those ladies who are never in a hurry on the road?

I am generally a chap chap kind of person even when driving, but I observe speed limits. I believe in the traffic laws and I think careless speed kills.

What is your greatest pet peeve about driving in Nairobi?

I hate it when people are unnecessarily rude on the roads. A little courtesy can go a long way in making the traffic experience bearable. Allowing a few people to go ahead of you does not make you late.

There are certain things you will never know about a car until you have one. What important thing have you learnt?

What I can tell someone rushing to buy a car is that it is not cheap and it needs a lot of care, unless you are married to or are dating a mechanic. Also with Kidero’s laws, it seems we will only be driving in our estates over the weekend and going to work by foot (laughs).

Where do you enjoy driving?

I like long drives out of town like to Naivasha or Athi River. I like it when the breeze is in my hair and the sky is blue. A beautiful scenery and endless tarmac does it for me.

What is your dream car?

I do not dream about cars, but if I did, it would be something like a Rolls Royce Phantom. There is something about the comfort of this car. I rode in one once and I just have to have it one day.