Immediate Steps: The First 5 Minutes

The actions you take in the first five minutes of a breakdown determine how safe the situation is for you, your passengers and other road users. Follow these steps in order — do not skip ahead.

  1. Indicate left and move off the road immediately
    The moment you sense something is wrong — a strange noise, sudden loss of power, a warning light, or a tyre blowout — indicate left and look for the nearest exit. A service road, petrol station forecourt, or even a wide dirt shoulder is far safer than the carriageway. Get as far off the road as possible before stopping.
  2. Switch on your hazard lights immediately
    Do this even before you have fully stopped — as soon as you begin to slow down. Hazard lights warn approaching drivers from a significant distance. Keep them on for the entire time your vehicle is stopped on or near the road, even during daylight hours.
  3. Place warning triangles behind the vehicle
    Place your first triangle approximately 5 metres behind the car, and a second one at least 45–50 metres back. On a fast road like Mombasa Road, the rear triangle is essential — drivers travelling at 80 km/h need at least 45 metres of warning distance to react safely. Warning triangles are a legal requirement in Kenya and you can be fined for not carrying them.
  4. Get all passengers out and well away from traffic
    Move everyone to the left side of the vehicle, as far from the road as possible. If there is a barrier, embankment, or ditch on the left, stand behind it. Never allow anyone to stand in the road, between the car and oncoming traffic, or directly behind the vehicle.
  5. Assess the situation before attempting any repairs
    Only attempt a repair — such as changing a tyre — if you are completely off the carriageway, on stable flat ground, and it is safe to do so. For anything else, or if you are in any doubt about safety, call for help before opening the bonnet or going under the car near moving traffic.
45m
minimum distance for placing your rear warning triangle on a fast road like Mombasa Road. At 80 km/h, a driver needs at least 3 seconds of reaction time — 45 metres provides just enough warning.

Getting Help in Nairobi

Find a Verified Garage on FixMyCar

The fastest way to find a trusted mechanic or tow truck near your location on Mombasa Road is to search fixmycar.ke. Filter by your current area — Industrial Area, Mlolongo, Syokimau, Athi River — and find garages with verified reviews and direct contact numbers. Many garages along the Mombasa Road corridor offer roadside assistance and towing services.

Kenya Police Emergency

For a serious breakdown involving an accident, injuries, or a vehicle stuck in a dangerous position that cannot be moved, call the Kenya Police on 999 or the toll-free line 0800 722 203. Police can assist with managing traffic around your vehicle and coordinating emergency services if needed.

AA Kenya (Automobile Association)

If you are an AA Kenya member, their roadside assistance service covers towing, battery jump-starts, lockouts, tyre changes and minor on-road repairs. AA Kenya membership costs approximately Ksh 5,000–8,000 per year — worth considering if you drive frequently on major Kenyan highways.

Changing a Tyre Yourself

If your breakdown is a flat tyre and you are safely and completely off the road on flat stable ground, you can change it yourself if you have a serviceable spare, a jack and a wheel brace. On Mombasa Road specifically, only attempt this if no part of your vehicle or yourself is near a live lane. If there is any doubt about safety, wait for professional help — a tyre change is not worth risking your life.

Avoiding Roadside Scams on Mombasa Road

⚠️
Be Aware of This

Mombasa Road is unfortunately known for opportunists who approach broken-down vehicles offering help — then charge vastly inflated prices, claim parts are damaged that are not, or in some cases attempt theft while you are distracted. Exercise real caution with any unsolicited approach.

  • Do not accept help from anyone who approaches your vehicle unsolicited — particularly if they were not already working at a nearby visible garage or petrol station.
  • Agree on a specific price before any work starts. Get it stated clearly in front of a witness, or in writing if possible. Vague agreements lead to inflated bills once the work is done.
  • Do not allow anyone to take parts from your vehicle to go and source a replacement unless you physically accompany them or have a very clear agreement in writing about what will happen.
  • Use garages found through FixMyCar or another verified platform rather than whoever happens to walk up to your window. Verified garages have reviews and accountability.
  • If you feel unsafe at any point, get back into your locked vehicle with hazard lights on and call for help by phone rather than engaging further with strangers around your car.

How to Reduce Breakdown Risk on Mombasa Road

If you regularly use Mombasa Road — for airport runs, travel to the industrial area, or the long drive to the coast — these checks before every journey significantly reduce your breakdown risk.

  • Check tyre pressure and condition weekly. Mombasa Road has rough sections near the airport and through Mlolongo that are hard on tyres. A blowout at highway speed is one of the most dangerous breakdown scenarios.
  • Check engine coolant and oil levels monthly. The slow traffic near the airport junction and the Globe roundabout interchange is a known overheating zone. See our guide on car overheating in Nairobi traffic.
  • Ensure your spare tyre is inflated and the jack is in the boot. Many drivers discover on the roadside that their spare is flat or the jack has been removed from the vehicle. Check both monthly.
  • Keep your fuel tank above a quarter full at all times. Running out of fuel on Mombasa Road is dangerous and entirely avoidable.
  • Service your car on schedule. Find a reliable garage near you on fixmycar.ke and book a service before you need emergency help on the road.

Breakdown Kit Checklist for Kenya

Every vehicle in Kenya should carry the following items at all times. Most cost very little and could save your life or a significant repair bill.

  • Two warning triangles (legally required in Kenya)
  • A serviceable spare tyre, jack and wheel brace — check the spare is inflated
  • Jump-start cables or a portable battery jump-starter pack
  • A torch — for safety visibility and for working after dark
  • Basic toolkit: pliers, screwdrivers, adjustable spanner
  • One litre of engine oil and one litre of coolant
  • A high-visibility vest — recommended, especially for night breakdowns
  • A basic first aid kit
  • A phone charger or portable power bank
  • A saved contact for a trusted mechanic or tow service from fixmycar.ke — find one before you need it
FixMyCar Kenya

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Frequently Asked Questions

For police and emergency services, call 999 or the toll-free Kenya Police line 0800 722 203. For mechanical roadside assistance, search for a nearby verified garage on fixmycar.ke, or call AA Kenya if you are a member. Save these numbers in your phone before you ever need them.
Only if you are completely off the carriageway on stable, flat ground with hazard lights on and both warning triangles placed. Do not attempt to change a tyre if any part of your vehicle is still in or near a live traffic lane, or if vehicles are passing very close. In that situation, stay in your locked vehicle with hazards on and call for professional help.
On a fast road like Mombasa Road, place the first triangle 5 metres directly behind your vehicle, and the second at least 45–50 metres back. At highway speeds, drivers need a minimum of 3 seconds of visible warning — 45 metres at 80 km/h gives exactly that. On the open highway sections towards Athi River, placing the rear triangle at 100 metres is safer.
Always agree on a specific price before any work begins — ideally in writing or clearly stated in front of a witness. Use garages you have found through FixMyCar or another verified platform rather than unsolicited help. If you are not sure whether a quoted price is fair, call another garage for comparison before authorising the repair.
Night breakdowns on Mombasa Road are higher risk. Place your warning triangles immediately and switch on hazards. Put on a high-visibility vest if you have one. Stay inside your locked vehicle as much as possible and call for help by phone. Do not attempt repairs in the dark on or near a live carriageway — wait for a verified mechanic or tow truck to arrive.