Nairobi Cab Driver Who Saved Couple Surprised With Brand New Car

Taxis pictured on a street in Nairobi.
Taxis pictured on a street in Nairobi.
File

After losing my last job in early 2022, my boyfriend and I had to strategise how to make ends meet.

“Winnie. We must come up with a solution,” he stated while pondering inside the house. 

“Sit down, babe. I got to think, and having you pacing around derails my thoughts,” I argued. 

We kept pondering together for a month or two. Initially, we planned to move out of our two-bedroom house to a one-bedroom within our South B estate then an idea struck my mind. 

“Why can’t we convert the one bedroom to daycare and start with the neighbours? Even your aunt Louis’s children,” I stated. At least that would have kept me occupied during the day. 

We used part of our savings to start the venture. 

But it was uncle Nick’s idea that pushed us further. Cabs had introduced women-only rides, and he suggested I put my driving license to use. 

“I don’t have a cab, and passengers love male drivers, right?” I argued. 

“Don’t worry, your cousin Jade landed a new job that came with a company car as an incentive, and he is offering his personal car to be used as a cab,” he added. 

Sometimes luck comes our way. I had two cousins of mine move in with us to assist with the daycare. 

The first thing I did was to understand the nature of my work. Cabs introduced women-only rides based on conversations with female drivers. 

This allows us to carry women only exclusively, especially at night. My application as a rider was accepted quickly as the cab company is increasing the number of female drivers to reduce gender disparity behind the wheel. 

My first day was quite interesting. 

I was listening to music, just after dropping a passenger, and on the eve of the evening, when there is still the strength of day yet the softness of night, the city comes alive. 

f
Traffic snarl-up at Uhuru Highway in Nairobi in March 2020.
Kenyans.co.ke

Revellers were crossing the streets heading for a night out, some holding hands tight, and others stopping for selfies. I remembered the last night with Clement before we started the new ventures, sipping some chased Black and White and enjoying the night. 

“You alright, honey,” Clement called, and we spoke for quite some time. He was worried that I was spending a part of the night out.

“Yes, I am good. I was thinking of you too and our last date. Chill a little. Let me pick up this call. It’s an order,” I hung up his call to connect with the order. 

Jecinta, heading to Kilimani. My first women-only ride. 

I picked her up around Jevanjee, and she was quite gloomy, staring out the window. 

We drove into traffic along Kenyatta Avenue, and I broke the silence. 

“Hey. Have you had a good day?” I asked, turning down the music. 

She broke down a little and lamented how she was under a lot of pressure to wed. 

“Like I can’t even breathe. They are on my left, right and center. I want to go and end it with him right now,” she stated. 

Woo. This was heated. This is what cab drivers go through. Listening to lamentations, sharing in the successes of passengers. I recalled one night, I sought advice from a cab driver on a business venture to pursue.

Now I was in his shoes. I took a long breath and shared how my relationship was also in turmoil before and how we solved our differences. 

“Clement and I used to argue a lot. I can’t say I understand your story as I am yet to get married, but I know you’ll get through it,” I added. 

“What’s the main issue, though?” I wondered. 

“The parents are opposed to this marriage, and I guess they had someone in mind,” she lamented.

“Rather than rush then to wed, why don’t the two of you postpone the wedding and focus on knowing each other? Focus also on winning over the parents,” I advised. Had I just advised someone to call off a wedding that was in three months? 

She diverted the ride from Kilimani and asked me to drop her off at her house in Ngara. And that was the last time I heard from her.

Around August this year, I received a call while finishing a ride. 

“Hey, it's Jecinta. You remember me. The wedding girl?” a voice asked at the end of the call. At first, I didn’t, but I put together the pieces, and we got talking. 

“I would like to invite you to my wedding. We are getting married in December,” she screamed with joy. 

I shared the story with Clement earlier, and he sounded excited about attending the wedding. 

A day before the wedding, Jecinta and his fiance, Mark, passed by. I was quite surprised to see them on my doorstep. We opened a daycare across the estate after our business ventures boomed, and our house was accommodating. 

Black and White Whisky
Black and White Whisky
File

“Welcome in. You two look lovely. How did you find my home?” I wondered as I poured them homemade juice as Clement took a seat across the room. 

“We passed by to appreciate the advice you gave us. You are a lifesaver. And I bet you are wondering how we came by your home. Mark is a friend of James who happens to be colleagues with your boyfriend, Clement,” Jecinta stated.

Such a small world. But the thought of Clement keeping it away from me for long. Wow…

“And with that… Clement, Mark and I got you a new ride as your cab. Parking outside,” she added. 

There was a minute of silence. Had I heard that right? I froze for a minute before Clement explained. 

“They asked to reward you, and I stated that we had made quite a saving towards purchasing our own car, and they topped half the amount,” he added.

I was overwhelmed. Strangers meet in awkward places and change each other's lives. 

“Oh, and we have something else for you to celebrate the moment,” Jecinta added and reached inside her bag for my best drink. Black and White. 

“Whisky!” I pulled her into a hug and embraced her lovingly. It was the start of an amazing friendship.

“Get us some glasses, babe,” I told Clement.

“And some rocks for me. Jecinta loves it chased,” Mark added as we turned the house into a small party. 

We toasted to their wedding, which was hours away.

Black and White scotched whiskey
Black and White Whisky
File