Is Kenya ready for advanced driving technology?

Not once have we seen videos online of cars parking themselves, braking before accidents, or cruising down highways while their drivers sip coffee hands-free.
Meanwhile, in Nairobi, some of us are still dodging potholes the size of bathtubs and negotiating right-of-way with boda bodas at 7 am.
The truth is, that the world of motoring is changing fast. From electric vehicles to self-driving features, cars are becoming smarter and more connected.
But are Kenyan roads, drivers, and systems ready for this kind of tech? Let’s take a closer look at some of the most talked-about features in modern motoring—and whether they’ll work here, or just remain cool things we admire on YouTube.
1. Autonomous Driving (Self-Driving Cars)
This is the big one. Cars that steer, accelerate, and brake by themselves using sensors, cameras, and algorithms. In countries like the US, self-driving features are already on the roads, especially on highways where traffic is fairly predictable.
But here at home, traffic isn’t just traffic—it’s an entire ecosystem. You’ve got hand carts, jaywalking pedestrians, matatus doing their own thing, and unmarked bumps appearing like surprise pop quizzes.
Would autonomous cars manage in such an environment? Probably not yet. Not because the tech is bad, but because the roads, signage, and driving culture are too unpredictable. In Kenya, defensive driving is a survival skill—something machines still struggle with.
Verdict: Not impossible, but Kenya’s road network and traffic behaviour need serious upgrades before this becomes viable.
2. Electric Vehicles (EVs)
Now here’s one that’s catching on. With the likes of Roam, BasiGo, and even Uber’s electric options, EVs are gaining real traction in Kenya. And why not? With rising fuel prices and a growing push for sustainability, EVs make a lot of sense.
Still, challenges remain. Charging infrastructure is limited—especially outside major cities—and concerns about battery range persist.
But Kenya’s grid is mostly powered by renewable energy, which puts us in a better position than many countries. Also, with more solar-powered hubs being installed and locally made EVs becoming more affordable, this is one area where we might not just catch up, but lead.
Verdict: Already happening, and set to grow with the right investment and public awareness.
3. Lane Keep Assist
This feature helps your car stay in its lane by gently correcting your steering if you start drifting. Useful on highways with clear road markings.
But many of our roads… let’s just say the markings are either faded, non-existent, or creatively interpreted. I tested a car with this feature once on Nairobi’s Southern Bypass, and it worked great until we exited into town and the car got confused.
It kept pinging alerts like it was being ghosted by the road itself.
Verdict: Works on some roads, but will need more consistent infrastructure to be truly effective.
4. Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
This system detects potential collisions and brakes for you to avoid or reduce impact. Very helpful, especially with distracted driving on the rise.
Imagine a boda boda suddenly swerving in front of you—if your car reacts faster than you do, that could be the difference between a close call and a crash.
That said, false alarms could be common, given how chaotic our roads can be.
Verdict: Genuinely useful in Kenya, especially in urban areas. A step toward safer roads, not just smarter cars.
5. Smart Voice Assistants
You can now tell your car to “Call Mum,” “Take me to Ngong,” or “Play Afrobeats.” Pretty cool.
But here’s the catch—many voice assistants still struggle with Kenyan accents and place names.
You say “Rongai,” and it offers to take you to “Shanghai.” Until systems are trained on local data, they’ll keep missing the mark.
Verdict: Fun to use, but we need more localised language support for it to be practical here.
6. Over-the-Air Updates
This allows your car to receive software updates remotely, improving features or fixing bugs, just like a smartphone.
This could work well in Kenya, especially in urban areas with reliable internet.
But in more remote areas, where signal drops or data bundles run out fast, it might be tricky.
Still, for manufacturers like Roam already using cloud systems for fleet management, this is a step in the right direction.
Verdict: Doable, especially as network coverage improves. It could be a game-changer for local EV makers.
7. Augmented Reality Dashboards
Some newer cars now project navigation info, alerts, or even arrows on your windscreen, making it easier to stay focused on the road.
This could genuinely help drivers here, especially if alerts included “Approaching unmarked bump” or “Random cow ahead.”
Verdict: High-end feature, but not unrealistic. It could improve road safety once it trickles down to more affordable vehicles.
8. Biometric Unlock & Start
Fingerprint or facial recognition to unlock and start your car? Fancy, yes. And in a city where car theft is still a concern, this could be a handy security upgrade.
But just like phone biometrics, it needs to work quickly and consistently. Imagine struggling to start your car because you’re sweaty, or your finger has sukuma wiki on it.
Verdict: Secure and convenient—but let’s make sure it works even on bad hair days and after mutura.
9. Flying Cars
Yes, they exist—in prototypes. But do we need them here? Honestly, we’re still trying to get people to use footbridges and obey traffic lights.
Air traffic control for flying cars might be a stretch.
Verdict: Fun idea. Maybe for the year 2100, not 2025.
The bottom line
Kenya isn’t behind—just on a different track. Some of the flashier tech might need more time and infrastructure to work here, but others—like EVs, smart braking, and local innovation—are already taking root.
As always, context matters. Kenyan driving is full of improvisation, instinct, and a good amount of prayer.
Until tech can match that, the most advanced feature we’ll keep trusting is the one between the steering wheel and the seat—the driver.