Things to note when parking your car in Nairobi

61POSTS

15 years ago

It is always important that you park your car in聽 a secure parking area especially the shopping malls.Ensure your car is fitted with an alarm and that your windows are closed.Never leave your valuables in the car such as phones,cash or laptop,they are safe carrying them with you.Do the best to avoid parking in public parking spaces should that happen,get someone around like a guard who you can make him responsible for the safety of your car-the parking attendant can also be helpful.Before you leave have a parking ticket with you and go for your errands,meetings etc promise them a tip when you come back and before you give them something on your return,open the vehicle and check everything is ok then give them the tip!you can now drive off!

See also

Leisure activities in Kenya - Guide
Car rental in Nairobi - Business
Things no one tells you about living in Kenya until you're here - 3 Replies
Getting your hair done in Nairobi,Kenya - 0 Reply
Parking an overland car in Nairobi. Need suggestions! - 7 Replies
Paying for things in other currencies - 6 Replies
Questions on what appliance to bring from US when we move to Nairobi. - 2 Replies

Armand ViP

24785POSTS

15 years ago

Hi chrismoro ent!

Thanks for these helpful advices

Armand

lilmabonga New member

4POSTS

15 years ago

Hi Chrismoro,

Thanks for the post. Nairobi thieves are getting smarter by the day.As for me I would suggest than we should not leave the laptops even in the backseat of the car. My car is tinted but they still peep and steal so I would advice putting the laptop in the boot or paying for private parking especially in places like malls e.g in Westgate its better to get the sticker pay for it and park inside as you can never be too safe.

Armand ViP

24785POSTS

15 years ago

Hi and welcome on the forum lilmabonga

chrismoro ent Active member

61POSTS

15 years ago

Thanks Lilmabonga,that is true,however if you have to put the laptop in the boot of your car,ensure its the kind of car the boot聽 cannot be accessed from inside the car,e.g a saloon car not a station wagon.I have that kind of car,and I did put in the boot with a 100,000 Kenya shillings,they opened my car,went on the back seat and stole everything!.These people sort of have gadgets that are able to detect your laptop,and also they have away of immobilizing your alarm even when they are committing the robbery,your car cannot sound the alarm!so dont give the the temptation.Another thing you need to do is to insure your laptop,and also place a device inside your laptop that can help with tracking in that way even when it is stolen,you can get a replacement or it can be tracked and restored and the thieves nabbed.Normally it is a syndicate that works in cahoots, I realized with many other people.

Longonot62 Kenya Advisor

1521POSTS

15 years ago

I had a laptop taken from my car when it was parked in Village Market.聽 They used a kind of metal spike to force the lock.聽 The thief knew what he (I assume) was looking for, as only the laptop was taken.聽 Now we just don't take that sort of stuff when going shopping, or carry it all with us.

I understand that some of the security staff in car parks act as 'spotters' for criminals, so never assume!

chrismoro ent Active member

61POSTS

15 years ago

I agree,however it is shocking even at the village market that is happening!with all the human and car traffic!Good lord!something should seriously be done about this by the authorities!you can imagine loosing a lifetimes valuable work!i advice we also keep back up files of the work and documents on our laptops.I magine starting from point zero again!