Notice of AGM for AA Kenya PLC 2025

The Car that Launched a Legacy: 
The Riley B3 of 1923   While AA Kenya was founded in 1919, its defining moment came four years later. In 1923, the organization made a bold decision that would forever shape the trajectory of Kenyan motoring; the importation of the first car, a Riley 12/50 Touring sedan. This single act transformed AA Kenya from a club of motoring enthusiasts into the pioneering authority on mobility in East Africa. 

The Riley B3: A Car of Purpose The Riley 12/50 was not chosen by chance. At the time, Kenya’s terrain was unforgiving, with no established road network and vast stretches of wilderness that resisted motorized transport. The car was selected for its toughness, durability, and suitability for rugged conditions, qualities essential for the pioneering work ahead. Bringing the car to Kenya was no small feat. It was shipped by steam vessel from the United Kingdom to the Port of Mombasa, crated and exposed to the risks of a long sea voyage. Upon arrival, it was tasked with a mission unlike any other: to serve as AA Kenya’s first official test car, surveying road conditions and collecting critical data that would inform the earliest motoring guides.  Setting the 

Stage for an Epic Journey For three years, the Riley was put to work in and around Kenya, enduring punishing drives that tested both machine and terrain. These early expeditions laid the groundwork for AA Kenya’s first legendary achievement: the 1926 Nairobi–Mombasa expedition. That journey, led by Galton Fenzi and Captain Gethin, became a milestone in East African motoring history. Covering a grueling round trip of more than 1,200 kilometers on little more than animal tracks, the Riley proved that cars could conquer Kenya’s wilderness. It also underscored the urgent need for infrastructural development.

A Legacy Begins The Riley 12/50 was more than just a vehicle; it was a catalyst for transformation. Its endurance forced authorities and policymakers to acknowledge the necessity of road development and reliable fueling systems. The crude sale of petrol in backyard drums soon gave way to Kenya’s first formal fuel depots, marking the beginnings of a structured motoring ecosystem. For AA Kenya, the year 1923 was not just about acquiring a car,it was about acquiring purpose. The Riley became the embodiment of the Association’s mission: to chart, guide, and advocate for safer, more reliable mobility in Kenya. Today, a century later, that pioneering spirit lives on. The Riley 12/50 Touring may have been just one car, but it was the car that launched a legacy.  

 In 1926, the idea of driving from Nairobi to Mombasa sounded less like a road trip and more like an act of defiance against nature. Kenya, still largely uncharted, had no road network, no fueling stations, and no reliable maps. Yet for AA Kenya, proving the feasibility of motoring across the country was not only necessary, it was a mission. It was on this backdrop that AA Kenya embarked on a daring expedition to map and conquer the 1,000-kilometre stretch between Nairobi and the coast with the sturdy Riley 12/50 Touring, already tested in local surveys. What followed was a 15-day round trip that became a defining chapter in Kenya’s motoring history.  

No Road, No Problem Much of the route was not a road at all, particularly through the Tsavo wilderness, where the landscape was thick with bush, thorn, and rock. Progress often meant stopping the car, lifting axes, and hacking a path forward, metre by metre. In many places, the team was not just driving; they were physically building a road as they advanced, blazing a trail for future motorists. The challenges did not end with the terrain. In 1926, the idea of a petrol station did not exist in Kenya. Every drop of fuel, oil, and water had to be packed from Nairobi. To break down in the wild meant facing the harsh elements and the ever-present dangers of Tsavo’s wildlife. The Riley carried not just supplies but the hope that resilience would outmatch the wilderness.    

The Price of Progress: 56 Punctures Perhaps the most memorable detail of the expedition was the sheer punishment inflicted on the car’s tyres. The rocky trails, thorns, and unforgiving terrain resulted in an astonishing 56 punctures during the journey. On average, a flat tyre every 35 kilometres. Each puncture demanded that the team roll up their sleeves, patch inner tubes, and wrestle tyres back onto rims, all under the punishing equatorial sun. These repeated setbacks tested their endurance as much as the Riley’s, turning the expedition into a contest of willpower as much as engineering.          

A Journey that Changed Kenya When the exhausted but triumphant team rolled back into Nairobi, they had achieved far more than completing a grueling drive. They had proved that the route was conquerable by motor vehicle, a revelation that would spur government investment in Kenya’s first proper road infrastructure. The expedition directly influenced the establishment of the country’s earliest fuel depots, ending the crude practice of buying petrol in drums from private sellers’ backyards. What began as an experiment had become the spark that ignited East Africa’s mobility revolution.    

The Legacy Lives On The historic expedition is commemorated by the Galton-Fenzi Memorial Stone, still standing in Nairobi today. It marks the spot where Kenya’s motoring journey officially began,where determination, resilience, and vision turned a rugged bush track into what would eventually become the Nairobi–Mombasa Highway, one of the nation’s most vital arteries. For AA Kenya, the 1926 adventure was more than a test drive. It was a statement: that with courage and foresight, mobility could transform a nation. From 56 punctures grew the foundations of Kenya’s modern road network a legacy that continues to power the country forward a century later.           

Before the internet. Before AI & YouTube tutorials. Before car reviews became a click away.
If you wanted to understand your car, how it worked, how to fix it, or where to drive it, you turned to one trusted source. It was a magazine.   And not just any magazine, it was AA Kenya’s Autonews Magazine, the publication that became every Kenyan motorist’s best friend. The story of Autonews is as intertwined with Kenya’s motoring history as the first legendary road trip from Nairobi to Mombasa. It is a story of curiosity, education, and a nation learning how to drive.    

The Birth of a Motoring Companion As vehicles multiplied and roads stretched deeper into the countryside, motorists needed guidance. In 1953, AA Kenya launched Autonews as its official motoring magazine. It was written for everyday Kenyans, those who had just bought their first Morris Minor or Peugeot 404 and were trying to make sense of a rattling sound under the bonnet.   Each issue was packed with straightforward advice: how to fix a puncture, choose the right spanner, check oil levels, or understand why your car refused to start on a cold morning. It was equal parts mentor, mechanic, and map demystifying the art and science of driving in a country that was still discovering the automobile.   

Back then, car ownership wasn’t just a status symbol; it was a commitment. Petrol depots were few, roads were rough, and spare parts were treasures. Autonews filled that gap answering real questions that mattered: “Why does my clutch slip?”
“Where’s the nearest service shop?”
“What happens when my engine overheats halfway to Nakuru?”   Over the years, Autonews became a platform for some of Kenya’s most respected motoring minds. The likes of Gavin Bennett, who later became the motoring correspondent for the Daily Nation and Business Daily.   As editor of Autonews and contributor to the AA Members’ Handbook in the 1980s, Gavin embodied the magazine’s voice: direct, insightful, and always anchored in experience. His celebrated column, “Driving in Kenya,” was about mastering the art of movement on roads that tested both man and metal.   Autonews gave motorists a sense of control in a world where road signs were scarce and mechanics were few. Autonews wasn’t just a publication; it was a teacher, a friend, and at times, a rescue manual.   

The legacy of Autonews is simple yet profound: it built the foundation for motoring journalism in Kenya. It transformed technical knowledge into everyday language, created a community of informed drivers, and introduced storytelling into the automotive space. It showed that car talk didn’t have to be elitist, it could be accessible, engaging, and deeply Kenyan.   From its early print editions to its present-day presence, Autonews remains the thread that connects generations of drivers who learned not just how to own a car, but how to understand one.  Autonews Today Today, Autonews has evolved beyond its glossy pages. It remains proudly in print, but it now lives and thrives in the digital age, a multimedia hub for modern motorists.   Its official blog, aakenyaautonews.co.ke, attracts over 100,000 readers every month, while its social media platforms host a vibrant community of road users who discuss safety, technology, and mobility trends daily.   The content has also expanded featuring video reviews, industry insights, expert commentary, and real-time coverage of automotive events. The new generation of contributors includes respected names such as Baraza JM, the late Big Boy Trev, George Song’e, and a new wave of road safety advocates and mobility thought leaders.    

This evolution reflects what AA Kenya has always done best: adapting to the journey ahead while honouring the road behind.   The fact that you are reading this story about cars, driving, and Kenya’s motoring heritage is itself part of Autonews’ living legacy. A Kenya taught us how to drive and Autonews gave us the stories, insights, and conversations to go with the journey.   Seventy years on, Autonews continues to do what it was created for: to inform, inspire, and connect Kenya’s drivers, one story at a time.  

When AA Kenya first proved that cars could survive the Kenyan & East African road conditions, the next challenge became how fast could they conquer it. That sparked the birth of one of the most legendary events in motorsport, the Safari Rally.   The year was 1953. AA Kenya organized the East African Coronation Safari. Unlike any race seen before, it was designed as a gruelling, multi-day journey through East Africa’s vast wilderness. Covering thousands of kilometers of open public roads, the rally was as much a battle of survival as it was a contest of speed.   Drivers faced an unforgiving course across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. 

The rally threw everything at them: swollen rivers that swallowed cars whole, rocky escarpments that shredded tires, endless stretches of choking dust, and sudden encounters with wildlife. Mechanical breakdowns were routine, and only a fraction of the starters ever reached the finish line. Victory required more than driving skill, it demanded mechanical knowledge, flawless navigation, endurance, and a dose of good luck.   As the years rolled on, the rally evolved beyond its beginnings. After independence, it became a source of national pride, a stage where local drivers could prove themselves against international stars. No figure captured the spirit of the event more than Joginder Singh, affectionately known as “The Flying Sikh.” Singh made history in 1965 when he became the first Kenyan to win the Safari Rally.   He went on to secure two more wins, including a famous victory in 1974 behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi Lancer. His fearless driving and consistency turned him into a national hero and a global symbol of Kenya’s motorsport talent.    

The rally’s reputation soon extended beyond sport. It became part of Kenya’s cultural identity, showcasing African ingenuity and resilience to the world. Manufacturers like Peugeot, Toyota, Datsun, and Mitsubishi used the Safari Rally to prove their cars’ toughness. The vehicles that conquered the Safari often became best-sellers in Kenya, trusted by ordinary drivers to survive the country’s demanding roads.   In 1973, the rally’s prestige soared when it was included in the inaugural World Rally Championship (WRC). For three decades, it was widely regarded as the toughest event on the WRC calendar. Unlike rallies in Europe that followed short, closed stages, the Safari stretched over thousands of kilometers of open roads, with unpredictable weather adding to the drama. Sudden downpours could turn dry plains into quagmires within minutes.     

But by 2002, logistical and safety challenges forced the Safari off the WRC calendar. For nearly two decades, Kenyans clung to memories of the golden years, when the world’s best drivers wrestled their machines across the Rift Valley dust.   The dream of revival came true in 2021 when, after years of lobbying, the Safari Rally made its triumphant return to the WRC. While modern rules required it to adopt the closed-road special stage format, organizers ensured it kept its soul. Centred around Naivasha in the Rift Valley, the rally still delivers the extremes that made it famous: deep mud, fesh-fesh sand, treacherous river crossings, and high-speed jumps that punish both cars and drivers.    

Today, the Safari Rally is once again a jewel in the WRC crown, unpredictable, spectacular, and uniquely Kenyan. Its journey, from a coronation celebration in 1953 to a world-class motorsport event, is a story of endurance and vision. Above all, it remains a testament to AA Kenya’s role in shaping not just the rally, but also Kenya’s place on the global motorsport map.  

AA Kenya had built roads, tested vehicles, mapped routes and now, it was time to teach the people how to drive them.   By the early 1960s, Kenya’s roads were growing busier by the day. The number of vehicles was rising, yet the systems for training and licensing drivers were still informal at best. Road safety was a growing concern, with untrained motorists creating chaos. In this gap, many learners picked up the basics informally, sometimes in ways that have since become part of local folklore.   One enduring image is that of aspiring drivers balancing stones on their heads while practising behind the wheel, a curious yet ingenious method to prevent them from looking down when changing gears. These makeshift lessons may raise smiles today, but they tell a deeper story about a time when driver education was improvised.         For AA Kenya, whose mission was and remains road safety, the situation demanded urgent intervention. In 1962, AA Kenya introduced a ground-breaking solution: the country’s first formal driving school. It was not only the first of its kind in Kenya, it became the blueprint upon which all future driving schools would be built.   The school began modestly, with just one training vehicle, a Ford Anglia, yet against the backdrop of unregulated driving, that single car became the foundation of Kenya’s driver education system. It represented a new era where learning to drive would no longer be a matter of trial and error but a structured journey built on knowledge, confidence, and respect for the road.    

Building a System for Safer Roads AA Driving School immediately set itself apart. At a time when most driver training was informal and inconsistent, lessons given by friends, relatives or mechanics on back roads and open fields AA Kenya offered something radically different. It introduced a structured curriculum that blended classroom learning with supervised practical sessions. Learners followed a programme through both theory and hands-on driving, and instructors insisted upon strict adherence to traffic rules, discipline and responsibility. Rigorous testing became the hallmark of the school: only those who demonstrated competence earned their driving licenses. Within a short time, the Driving School gained its reputation as the gold standard in driver training.   But AA Kenya did more than just impose order. It introduced innovation. The school’s classrooms became places of transformation, complete with Model Town Boards, miniature road networks, scaled traffic signs, junctions and roundabouts that helped learners visualise real-life driving scenarios long before they touched a steering wheel. Before students ever sat behind a vehicle, they learned how to interpret road signs, understand right of way, anticipate hazards and make sound decisions even in a simulated environment.   From this theoretical foundation they then moved into practical training and herein lies one of AA Kenya’s most significant innovations. Recognising the anxiety of first-time learners, AA introduced vehicles fitted with dual-control systems (an extra set of pedals for instructors). This was not just a mechanical adaptation: it was psychological. The knowledge that an instructor could instantly take control gave learners the confidence to focus on developing skill, rather than fear making mistakes. Instructors, meanwhile, could intervene immediately turning potential errors into teaching moments and preventing mistakes from becoming crashes. The dual-control vehicle became the unseen guardian of trust on the road.     What happened in a typical class? Learners began in the classroom studying theory: traffic law, road signs, basic vehicle mechanics, hazard perception and driver ethics. They might spend hours with the Model Town Board visualising traffic flow and decision points. Then came supervised practical sessions: controlled driving within quiet areas evolving into urban conditions and real-road scenarios junctions, curves, hills, unexpected obstacles, different road surfaces. Instructors used dual-control cars, enabling live feedback while maintaining safety. Students repeated manoeuvres until the skill, judgment and calm response became second nature. Only when a learner showed both technical competence and ethical awareness knowing when to yield, how to anticipate danger, how to respond calmly would they proceed to the licensing test.   This process reflected AA Kenya’s belief: that a driving school is not simply a place to earn a licence   is where responsibility is taught, confidence is built and a culture of safe motoring takes root. And by embedding both structure and innovation, AA ensured that its graduates were not just vehicle handlers, but road users who understood the broader implication of mobility in a nation.              

Why Driving Schools Matter Driving is far more than a mechanical act; it is a public responsibility. A professional driving school is designed to transform ordinary citizens into capable, safety-conscious road users. Learners are not merely taught to move a vehicle from one point to another they are trained to think critically, observe patiently, and act responsibly.   In class, students are introduced to the Highway Code, road signs, and driving theory that explain not just how to drive, but why each rule exists. They learn about vehicle maintenance, defensive driving, environmental awareness, and ethical conduct on the road. On the track, under the watchful guidance of certified instructors, they put theory into practice, mastering everything from clutch control and mirror checks to emergency braking and lane discipline.   This holistic approach pioneered by AA Kenya, is what transformed driving from a learned habit into a respected skill. It built the foundation for the country’s licensing system and shaped the character of generations of Kenyan drivers.       

AA Driving School today More than six decades later, AA Driving School continues to evolve blending its legacy with innovation for the modern road user. Today’s learner encounters a system as structured and disciplined as ever, yet powered by digital convenience and real-world relevance.     From the very first interaction, everything can be done online through the e-Dereva platform; registration, class booking, payment, and even scheduling of lessons. Learners can access online theory classes, allowing flexibility for students, professionals, and busy adults to study anywhere, anytime.   Complementing this digital experience is the AA Test App, a mobile learning tool aligned with the NTSA driver training curriculum, featuring practice questions and explanations that prepare learners for their government tests while also refreshing experienced drivers on road rules and signs.   AA has also expanded its training portfolio to serve Kenya’s diverse driving needs. Beyond the standard driver’s licence, the institution now offers Defensive Driving Courses, Professional Driver Training, School Bus Driver Certification, Oil & gas transporters course, Emergency vehicle operators’ course and even Driver Recruitment and Driver Assessment Services for clients looking to hire drivers among others. Through these programs, AA ensures that drivers across sectors, meet the highest safety and ethical standards on the road.   For learners seeking a premium, personalized experience, AA Premier Driving School represents the executive arm of AA Kenya’s driver education. Premier offers flexible scheduling, one-on-one instruction, and modern facilities that include simulators and advanced learning aids. Its condensed curriculum is completed in about a month and integrates a mandatory two-day defensive driving module preparing students not just to pass a test but to drive smartly and safely in all conditions. Graduates are guided to obtain their Smart Driving Licence, symbolizing modern competence in motion.   In addition, AA equips drivers with practical life skills through its Basic Autocare Course, a hands-on programme that teaches essential vehicle maintenance, troubleshooting, and roadside assistance. Students learn how to check fluids, maintain tires, jump-start a car, and handle emergencies empowering them to be self-reliant motorists.   AA Driving School also upholds international standards through its role as the only authorised issuer of International Driving Permits (IDP) in Kenya; a gateway for licensed drivers to drive legally across the world. It also facilitates the Carnet de Passage, the car passport that enables cross-border motoring for adventurous travellers.   AA’s influence extends even further into shaping the next generation of responsible motorists. Through initiatives like the Best Young Driver (BYD) contest and this year’s milestone African Best Young Driver (A-BYD) Championship, which AA Kenya will host for the first time on the continent young drivers are being inspired to combine skill, safety, and sportsmanship behind the wheel.       

AA Driving School’s Legacy Over the decades, AA Kenya’s Driving School became synonymous with quality and trust. For more than 60 years, it has shaped generations of Kenyan drivers, instilling not only technical skills but also respect for road safety. Even today, the school remains the benchmark. Many institutions may offer driver training, but they all owe a debt to the foundations laid by AA Kenya in 1962.   To this day, the phrase “I learnt at AA” carries weight. It signifies not just competence, but credibility. It’s a statement of skill, safety, and standards that have defined responsible driving in Kenya for more than six decades.   It is often said that the quality of training determines the quality of drivers. In 1962, AA Kenya set the bar high, and in doing so, transformed the way Kenyans learned to drive.         AA Kenya had built roads, tested vehicles, mapped routes and now, it was time to teach the people how to drive them.   By the early 1960s, Kenya’s roads were growing busier by the day. The number of vehicles was rising, yet the systems for training and licensing drivers were still informal at best. Road safety was a growing concern, with untrained motorists creating chaos. In this gap, many learners picked up the basics informally, sometimes in ways that have since become part of local folklore.   One enduring image is that of aspiring drivers balancing stones on their heads while practising behind the wheel, a curious yet ingenious method to prevent them from looking down when changing gears. These makeshift lessons may raise smiles today, but they tell a deeper story about a time when driver education was improvised.         For AA Kenya, whose mission was and remains road safety, the situation demanded urgent intervention. In 1962, AA Kenya introduced a ground-breaking solution: the country’s first formal driving school. It was not only the first of its kind in Kenya, it became the blueprint upon which all future driving schools would be built.   The school began modestly, with just one training vehicle, a Ford Anglia, yet against the backdrop of unregulated driving, that single car became the foundation of Kenya’s driver education system. It represented a new era where learning to drive would no longer be a matter of trial and error but a structured journey built on knowledge, confidence, and respect for the road.    

Building a System for Safer Roads AA Driving School immediately set itself apart. At a time when most driver training was informal and inconsistent, lessons given by friends, relatives or mechanics on back roads and open fields AA Kenya offered something radically different. It introduced a structured curriculum that blended classroom learning with supervised practical sessions. Learners followed a programme through both theory and hands-on driving, and instructors insisted upon strict adherence to traffic rules, discipline and responsibility. Rigorous testing became the hallmark of the school: only those who demonstrated competence earned their driving licenses. Within a short time, the Driving School gained its reputation as the gold standard in driver training.   But AA Kenya did more than just impose order. It introduced innovation. The school’s classrooms became places of transformation, complete with Model Town Boards, miniature road networks, scaled traffic signs, junctions and roundabouts that helped learners visualise real-life driving scenarios long before they touched a steering wheel. Before students ever sat behind a vehicle, they learned how to interpret road signs, understand right of way, anticipate hazards and make sound decisions even in a simulated environment.   From this theoretical foundation they then moved into practical training and herein lies one of AA Kenya’s most significant innovations. Recognising the anxiety of first-time learners, AA introduced vehicles fitted with dual-control systems (an extra set of pedals for instructors). This was not just a mechanical adaptation: it was psychological. The knowledge that an instructor could instantly take control gave learners the confidence to focus on developing skill, rather than fear making mistakes. Instructors, meanwhile, could intervene immediately turning potential errors into teaching moments and preventing mistakes from becoming crashes. The dual-control vehicle became the unseen guardian of trust on the road.     What happened in a typical class? Learners began in the classroom studying theory: traffic law, road signs, basic vehicle mechanics, hazard perception and driver ethics. They might spend hours with the Model Town Board visualising traffic flow and decision points. Then came supervised practical sessions: controlled driving within quiet areas evolving into urban conditions and real-road scenarios junctions, curves, hills, unexpected obstacles, different road surfaces. Instructors used dual-control cars, enabling live feedback while maintaining safety. Students repeated manoeuvres until the skill, judgment and calm response became second nature. Only when a learner showed both technical competence and ethical awareness knowing when to yield, how to anticipate danger, how to respond calmly would they proceed to the licensing test.   This process reflected AA Kenya’s belief: that a driving school is not simply a place to earn a licence   is where responsibility is taught, confidence is built and a culture of safe motoring takes root. And by embedding both structure and innovation, AA ensured that its graduates were not just vehicle handlers, but road users who understood the broader implication of mobility in a nation.              

Why Driving Schools Matter Driving is far more than a mechanical act; it is a public responsibility. A professional driving school is designed to transform ordinary citizens into capable, safety-conscious road users. Learners are not merely taught to move a vehicle from one point to another they are trained to think critically, observe patiently, and act responsibly.   In class, students are introduced to the Highway Code, road signs, and driving theory that explain not just how to drive, but why each rule exists. They learn about vehicle maintenance, defensive driving, environmental awareness, and ethical conduct on the road. On the track, under the watchful guidance of certified instructors, they put theory into practice, mastering everything from clutch control and mirror checks to emergency braking and lane discipline.   This holistic approach pioneered by AA Kenya, is what transformed driving from a learned habit into a respected skill. It built the foundation for the country’s licensing system and shaped the character of generations of Kenyan drivers.       

AA Driving School today More than six decades later, AA Driving School continues to evolve blending its legacy with innovation for the modern road user. Today’s learner encounters a system as structured and disciplined as ever, yet powered by digital convenience and real-world relevance.     From the very first interaction, everything can be done online through the e-Dereva platform; registration, class booking, payment, and even scheduling of lessons. Learners can access online theory classes, allowing flexibility for students, professionals, and busy adults to study anywhere, anytime.   Complementing this digital experience is the AA Test App, a mobile learning tool aligned with the NTSA driver training curriculum, featuring practice questions and explanations that prepare learners for their government tests while also refreshing experienced drivers on road rules and signs.   AA has also expanded its training portfolio to serve Kenya’s diverse driving needs. Beyond the standard driver’s licence, the institution now offers Defensive Driving Courses, Professional Driver Training, School Bus Driver Certification, Oil & gas transporters course, Emergency vehicle operators’ course and even Driver Recruitment and Driver Assessment Services for clients looking to hire drivers among others. Through these programs, AA ensures that drivers across sectors, meet the highest safety and ethical standards on the road.   For learners seeking a premium, personalized experience, AA Premier Driving School represents the executive arm of AA Kenya’s driver education. Premier offers flexible scheduling, one-on-one instruction, and modern facilities that include simulators and advanced learning aids. Its condensed curriculum is completed in about a month and integrates a mandatory two-day defensive driving module preparing students not just to pass a test but to drive smartly and safely in all conditions. Graduates are guided to obtain their Smart Driving Licence, symbolizing modern competence in motion.   In addition, AA equips drivers with practical life skills through its Basic Autocare Course, a hands-on programme that teaches essential vehicle maintenance, troubleshooting, and roadside assistance. Students learn how to check fluids, maintain tires, jump-start a car, and handle emergencies empowering them to be self-reliant motorists.   AA Driving School also upholds international standards through its role as the only authorised issuer of International Driving Permits (IDP) in Kenya; a gateway for licensed drivers to drive legally across the world. It also facilitates the Carnet de Passage, the car passport that enables cross-border motoring for adventurous travellers.   AA’s influence extends even further into shaping the next generation of responsible motorists. Through initiatives like the Best Young Driver (BYD) contest and this year’s milestone African Best Young Driver (A-BYD) Championship, which AA Kenya will host for the first time on the continent young drivers are being inspired to combine skill, safety, and sportsmanship behind the wheel.       AA Driving School’s Legacy Over the decades, AA Kenya’s Driving School became synonymous with quality and trust. For more than 60 years, it has shaped generations of Kenyan drivers, instilling not only technical skills but also respect for road safety. Even today, the school remains the benchmark. Many institutions may offer driver training, but they all owe a debt to the foundations laid by AA Kenya in 1962.   To this day, the phrase “I learnt at AA” carries weight. It signifies not just competence, but credibility. It’s a statement of skill, safety, and standards that have defined responsible driving in Kenya for more than six decades.   It is often said that the quality of training determines the quality of drivers. In 1962, AA Kenya set the bar high, and in doing so, transformed the way Kenyans learned to drive.        

AA Kenya brought in the cars, paved the roads but with no petrol stations, where did one get fuel?   When you want to fuel in this age, you just drive into a petrol station, an attendant in a branded uniform takes your order, and in a few minutes, you're topped up and ready to go. But back in the day, fuelling your car was a whole different ballgame.   The story of the first fuel depot in Kenya shows how much of a transformative journey we have had. Before cars, there was no need for petrol. But that quickly changed when automobiles started cruising along the dusty roads.   

The Backyard Operation   Imagine it is 1930 and you just bought a new shiny automobile.  Where do you get fuel? Definitely not your favourite petrol station.   The first fuel depot wasn’t a depot at all. It was more of a backyard operation. This ‘depot’ was just a seller's home. Fuel was sold directly from drums, and if you wanted to top-up, you had to drive right into their compound. This was a private affair, with no signs, no uniforms, and definitely no coffee shop. It was a simple, transactional business: you pull up, you get your fuel, and you go. And if you wanted more than your vehicle tank’s capacity, you had to carry a place to store it.   However, this arrangement had its drawbacks. For the seller, the constant flow of people in and out of their backyard was a major breach of privacy. For the buyer, it was an inconvenience. It was clear that a more professional and public solution was needed.    

This is where AA Kenya stepped in. Recognizing the growing needs of its members and motorists at large, AA Kenya took on the crucial task of establishing the country's first proper fuel depots. This was a key milestone in their mission to support motorists and improve the country's transport infrastructure.   So, a new system was devised. A meeting point was established, a neutral ground away from the seller's home. This was a crucial step towards the modern petrol station. The seller had to haul drums of fuel to the meeting point, and the buyers had to bring empty drums to stock up. You'd fill up as much as you could to avoid the trouble of returning too soon.    

This simple meeting point, born out of necessity and a desire for privacy, was the embryo of the modern petrol station. It was a space dedicated solely to the business of selling fuel, a place where transactions could happen away from people's homes. This concept, revolutionary at the time, laid the groundwork for the petrol stations we know today.   The convenience we enjoy now, the luxury of just driving into a well-lit, fully stocked station and getting served, is a direct result of this evolution. It started with a man in his backyard and a bunch of drums. From there, it grew into a public meeting point, and finally, into the vast network of depots and petrol stations that now crisscross our country, fuelling our journeys and keeping the wheels of our economy turning.   So, the next time you pull into a petrol station, take a moment and remember. The ease with which you top up is the direct result of a journey that started with a few drums in a backyard. That convenience is a legacy of the same AA Kenya you know today, the pioneers who ensured that in those early days, no motorist would be stranded without a way to get going.