It is a chilly Sunday afternoon but the Jamhuri Grounds in Nairobi is alive and buzzing with the sound of car engines and excited Kenyans.
For 36 years now, this open space has been a second-hand car market, attracting hundreds of sellers and thousands of visitors. Some are serious buyers, others curious enthusiasts, and a few just looking for a relaxed way to spend their afternoon.
One says, “wacha nitembee ivi nakujia hii gari or nipatie number yako nitakupigia nikifikisha pesa.” [Let me walk around, I’ll come for this car or give me your number and I’ll call you when I get the money.]
In the massive field, there are sedans, SUVs, and trucks, each with a sheet of paper stuck to the windshield showing the price and engine capacity. They range from as low as Sh192,000 to well over Sh7 million.
Outside the cars, some owners sit on plastic chairs.
My eyes catch a Lexus. It is going for Sh1.5 million. I offer Sh1.3 million.
“I can only sell it to you at Sh1.48 million. I’m offering that price because it’s here, out in the open, not in a showroom,” the seller says with a glitter of hope in her eyes.
I tell her that Sh1.3 million is all I have got. She smiles and tells me I might find something in that range if I keep looking.
Throughout the afternoon, I see similar scenes play out. Prospective buyers strike up conversations with owners. One man bends to inspect the undercarriage of the Lexus, checking for signs of damage or rust.
Some groups of families walk in on foot and drive out in their new cars. Young men in groups inspect the latest models.
Meet Daniel Luande. He is at the bazaar hoping to sell his red 2004 Toyota Kluger for Sh850,000. The car has been revamped and looks almost brand new. This is Daniel’s only car but he tells the BDLife that life has been tough and he could use the money.
“We are living in difficult times. I am badly hit financially because of the economic situation in Kenya. The Kluger, with a 2400cc engine, has become too expensive to maintain. Managing a car with that kind of engine capacity is challenging. If it is not giving you money, then it is prudent to consider disposing of it. If the money is substantial, I can channel it to other investments and generate more money,” the businessman says.
Daniel Luande speaks during an interview at Jamhuri car Bazaar in Nairobi on May 25th 2025.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation Media Group
Daniel says he is not too worried about being without a car.
“If I manage to sell it, I’ll use public transport. It’s cheaper than maintaining a personal vehicle. When you get to a point where you’re ready to let go of your only car, it means it’s become more of a burden than a benefit.”
The journey to selling his car has not been easy.
“I have been here since January. I come on many Sundays looking to get a buyer for this car,” he tells the BDLife.
The founder
When Retired Major John Kipchumba and his two friends founded the Sunday Car Bazaar in 1989, they received very few cars, but now over 1,000 cars are brought for sale, yet very few are bought.
“We started the business as a side hustle. I was working with the Kenya Air Force then. Initially, we relied on newspaper advertisements. When I got clients, they would call and I would leave work to go attend to them. This was not sustainable so my friends and I thought that it would be better if we had a place where we bring our cars and people can buy from us. In March 1989, we approached the Sarit Centre. We got a corner there an would bring our cars every Sunday from 11 am to 3 pm. In 1997, we went to Waiyaki Way then Nyayo Stadium before coming to the Jamhuri Grounds in 2004. We have been here ever since,” he says.
Over the years, Mr Kipchumba tells the BDLife that the car bazaar enjoyed good times but since the Covid-19 period, there has been a significant decrease car sales, yet the number of people bringing their cars to the grounds has increased.
“We have grown from having six cars in the beginning to about 1,500 cars every Sunday and about 2,000 visitors,” says the 71-year-old.
“Lately there have been many enquiries and new faces coming in to sell their cars at the grounds. Before Covid, 110,000 used cars would be imported into the country but this has reduced to only 77,000 cars. Back then I could sell at least four units in a month but today I sell maybe one and sometimes I have no sales,” he adds.
Source of employment
Low sales aside, the Jamhuri Car Bazaar remains a vital source of income for many car dealers who faithfully show up every Sunday.
Vehicles for sale pictured at Jamhuri car Bazaar in Nairobi on May 25, 2025.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation Media Group
Patrick Ochanda is a car dealer with five cars on display this Sunday. He credits much of his success to the Bazaar.
“When you come here and you can sell, you will be able to feed your family and even pay their bills. Sometimes, I see a good car here, buy it, and later resell it at a profit,” he says.
He adds that the Bazaar is not just about selling cars; it also facilitates financial access for buyers.
“There are many microfinance institutions around here. If a customer has an account with one, they can easily get a loan and purchase a car,” he adds.
Not every day is a good day but showing up regularly has long-term benefits. Patrick says, “If you are lucky, you will make a sale but even if you don’t, the connections you make matter. Every Sunday, we collect a database of all the customers who inquire about vehicles. They may not buy that day, but the relationship could help you close a deal later on,” he says.
Cost of access
Those looking to sell their cars have to pay some money to access and display them on the ground. For individual car owners, the cost is Sh1,000 for each car. Car dealers who are members of the Kenya Auto Bazaar Association enjoy a special package of Sh200 per car.
Sellers often come prepared with pre-drafted sale agreements to seal the deal quickly.
“We have the sale agreement ready such that when you want a car, we can write it up and you can transfer the money, we give you the log book and the sale is done,” Patrick says, adding, “There are people who pay in cash, or using mobile or bank transfer.”
Patrick, however, cautions that cash refund or return the car once it is out of the yard is not possible hence the need to conduct due diligence before buying a car.
“Once you have driven off, the sale is done. This is why you need to have a mechanic when you are buying the car. Check the car’s mileage. Look at the body condition. Ask yourself what needs repair. Verify the engine number, review the logbook copy, and make sure you understand the car’s history. Most importantly, know what you want before you leave the house. It helps you narrow down and make smarter decisions.”
However, Patrick says that the advantage of buying a car from the bazaar is that the prices are negotiable and there is room for flexibility.
“Here no one controls how much you will sell your car. If you are in desperate need of money, you can sell the car for as low as you want without worrying about the market price and get the money that you need,” he says.
Joseph Ngaii, another car dealer, tells the BDLife that the cars sold at the grounds could be more expensive than those in the showrooms or car yards.
“Prices here can be higher than in showrooms or car yards. It is possible to bargain but some sellers overprice their vehicles hoping to catch an uninformed buyer. You need to research the market value of the car you want before coming.”
Joseph Ngaii pictured inside his car at Jamhuri car Bazaar in Nairobi on May 25, 2025.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation Media Group
The brokers
Another group that benefits from the Jamhuri Car Bazaar ecosystem is the brokers who act as intermediaries connecting buyers and sellers, often earning a commission once a deal goes through.
Simon Mwangi, a broker, says that being at the grounds is much better than the typical showrooms.
“You can easily get a car with the money that you have,” he says.
For three years now, the Sunday car market has been his main source of income.
“I have to make sure that every Sunday I show up. This is a good place to meet potential clients. There are times when customers do not have the money, but normally, they take my phone number then during the week, they call me when they have all the money and we meet up and do the sale,” he says.
How did he get started? “I used to work at a car dealer shop then I came to learn that people come here to see cars every Sunday and I decided to give it a try,” he says.
Insurance
On insurance, Simon says, “You don’t struggle with insurance for many cars as they come insured. Especially with many second-hand cars, there is already existing insurance, so you just use the one that is here then you will renew once it expires.
Simon tells the BDLife that many customers are not very choosy.
“Given how tough the economy is, for many people the important thing is to be counted among the people who own a car,” he said.
Exchange rate
Mr Kipchumba the exchange rate has influenced the buying and selling of cars. Additionally, since the pandemic production of new cars has been on the decline in Japan. This has led to increase in prices.
“What this means is that companies that want to replace their fleet because of attrition or accidents are forced to come to the used car market to replace their units,” he says.
He adds that increased taxation has also not made it any easier for car sellers in the country. “There has been an increase of taxes since 2022. First, it was the excise tax. Then there was import duty, which came from 25 percent to 35 percent in 2023.”
