Meet Nairobi Woman Breaking Barriers In Automobile Business After Surviving Grisly Road Accident

• Carol Kamicha revealed that the road accident largely contributed to her being afraid of sitting behind a steering wheel as a driver
• But after overcoming her fears, Carol Kamicha established TopRide Driving School in the Waruku area along Waiyaki Way
• Today, TopRide offers 35 one-hour-long lessons which is so much more than what you get in the driving school market

Nairobi – Almost 10 years ago, Carol Kamicha was involved in a grisly road accident that left her back considerably weakened.

The road accident Kamicha revealed largely contributed to her being afraid of sitting behind a steering wheel as a driver, and it took a lot to overcome her fears.

“You see, because of this trauma, I required special attention and oversight," Kamicha said.

When TUKO.co.ke recently visited her busy offices in the Waruku area along Waiyaki Way, Kamicha narrated how her dream to start TopRide Driving School started.

“I ventured into the driving school business not just because I wanted to overcome my fears of being behind the steering wheel but because I also wanted to find a solution for students who needed to learn to drive at their own pace, and provide special attention to those who had my kind of challenges,” she explained.

Why Kamicha ventured into automobile business

Kamicha is a marketer, project manager, and marketing director at TopRide Driving School and grew up in Githunguri Kiambu county.

“For sure I love cars, especially the big machines. But to be honest, I am a driving school dropout twice actually! I only managed to get a driving license in the third driving school,” Kamicha explained detailing her quest to venture into the business.

As a seed capital, Kamicha, who terms her mum as her biggest inspiration, said together with her co-investor, they spent between KSh 20 million and KSh 30 million in setting up the driving school.

“Most of these monies went into fitting this beautiful office that we leased from the landlord, buying the newest ex-Japan Toyota cars we could afford at that time, importing them, and also investing in the latest simulators available on the market,” she explained.

How Kamicha is coping up in digital era

In the age of the digital era, Kamicha told TUKO.co.ke that she has a fleet of cars ranging from automatic and manual cars that enable her company to be up to date with today's technology.

“Our simulators are dual manual and automatic which require constant software updates to incorporate new technology. Also, our staff are trained to treat every customer with respect, kindness, and understanding of everyone’s different backgrounds and unique experiences. Our classrooms are clean, spacious, and fitted with comfortable seats,” she further said.

TUKO.co.ke understands that at TopRide Driving School, they offer 35 one-hour long lessons, which is so much more than what you get in the driving school market at the moment.

“Over and above giving the most lessons in the market, our courteous and knowledgeable instructors, and our clean, comfortable, and spacious classrooms ensure that our customers have the best learning experience possible,” she explained.

Their coursework includes 10 theory lessons, five (5) simulator lessons, and, 20 on-the-road practical lessons.

“All this has given us a niche for us to attract more aspiring female drivers since they form more than 85% of our customers since we started,” explained Kamicha.

Challenges in driving school business

She, however, disclosed that just like any other venture, her business also has many challenges.

“But from the top of my head, our biggest challenge has been getting presentable and professional driving instructors who would carry our vision as TopRide Driving School. Also, marketing and creating brand awareness is expensive, and complying with all of the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) regulations and requirements has been very demanding,” she added.

She said that in the next five years, she seeks to have a presence in most major urban centres and a footprint across 47 counties by opening more branches.

When asked by TUKO.co.ke what she wants TopRide to be known for, Kamicha who urges her fellow women to join the male-dominated field, said:

“I want TopRide to be known as the driving school that takes the safety of our customers seriously and to be at the forefront of road safety campaigns for all.”

The new face of NTSA

Earlier, TUKO.co.ke reported that NTSA has taken significant steps towards digital transformation to improve its services and interaction with the public and the transport sector.

The Authority has implemented user-friendly and efficient solutions on a robust ICT infrastructure to create a favourable environment for all stakeholders.

Through collaborations and system integrations with various agencies, such as the National Registration Bureau (NRB), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Business Registration Services (BRS), and Directorate of Criminal Investigation (CID), real-time data flow and reliable information have been achieved.