Joe fixed a mileage meter to the left front wheel of his car and hired it to the businessman for ten cents a mile. And thus began the first car hire business. Within two years Walter Jacobs had given Saunders his first bit of competition when he set up a fleet of twelve Model T cars and opened up his own car hire business in Chicago.
Just five years later this business was said to be worth $1 million in annual revenue. Car hire companies enjoyed continued growth over the next few years but the general public were very wary. Particularly during the prohibition. They were used to open forms of transport such as horse and carts and now they were faced with closed in vehicles that made people nervous.
During this time they were seen as the tools for criminal activities. It was believed they were used by bootleggers for smuggling alcohol around the country. They may well have been! Being able to travel at greater speeds than a policeman on a pushbike was always going to be an advantage whilst bootlegging.
It was also believed that car hire vehicles were used by bank robbers. True, also. Any event - criminal or otherwise - that required a speedy exit would have benefitted from one of these vehicles. Unlike today, it wasn't the done thing for everybody to own a car. This privilege was for the elite that could afford, or even wanted one. With such little trust in the image they conveyed, many people chose to stick with public transport.
Prostitution was another concern of those in opposition to car hire. Again, this was highly possible. This was an easy form of private transport, quick access to secluded roadways that were mostly unlit and in the comfort that most people who have ever owned a car have found out, a private place to do your canoodling.
After the 18th Amendment was repealed in 1933, the car hire industry began to gain a more respectable reputation. People were becoming accustomed to seeing these machines on the road and the ease and speed that they introduced was becoming more widely accepted.
After the second world war there was no looking back for the car hire industry. Thanks to a boom in the airline industry and the introduction of the fly-drive facility, it was becoming second nature to rent a car to complete your journey. Car hire companies were springing up all over the place and were prevalent around airports.
Up to the current day and the internet has improved advertising and competition beyond recognition. If you were to type 'car hire' into Google and you would find nearly seventeen million possible pages that include the word car hire. It would seem there are no longer any concerns over the validity of this business.
There are quite a number of Car Hire Companies in Kenya. Most of these Companies are consentrated in Nairobi and Mombasa, incidentally these towns are one of the major tourist hubs in Africa. You can hire anything from a Toyata Land cruiser 4WD, Toyata RAV4 to 2WD drive Cars. These car hire companies will have bronchures indicating their prefered vehicle rates which will range from $50to $200 per day depending on the number of days you would wish to take the vehicle.
When hiring vehicles, be sure to be conversant with their terms and conditions. Normal hire terms should be rated per day, with unlimited milieage which is the best arrangement, collision damage waiver, theft protection and inclusive of applicable taxes which are charged at 16% of the amount that you agree to pay for hire. You should also enquire into the Super Colision Damage Waiver which in Kenya ranges from $100 to $600 depending on the arrangement.
Currently the Kenya Government is doing a major reconstruction and rehabilitation of the major highways which previously were in a sorry state. So Driving along the highways should not present a major problem. The story is completely different when you decide to venture into the countryside and into the parks. The roads are in such a poor state that even driving 4WDs through them is a challenge. You will constantly have to avoid gullies and potholes dug by speeding rainwater. This Scenario makes the car hire companies charge one of the highest rates in the world in order to keep their vehicles well maintained and in good condition.
Driving in Kenya can be a nightmare sometimes, especially if you come from USA. Vehicles in Kenya "keep Left" but it would not be uncommon to find drunken drivers and passenger drivers "matatus" taking your lane once in a while. In order to enjoy your Safari, it would be prudent to take a driver from the car hire company.
Of Late the country has had a problem with security. Even though we appreciate the governments' efforts to curb gangster crime, it would be advisable to take the necessary precautions to avoid being waylaid. Avoid as much as possibe not to drive in the night unless it is an absolute emergency. Do not pick passengers on the roads, they might empty your car with impunity.
The list of the cars available for hire is not exhaustive and is only limited to the amount of money that you want to spend. You can have a Mitsubishi Lancer, Toyota 110 or Similar 2 Wheel Automatic. The Four wheel drive vehicles range from the Mitsubishi Pajero, Toyota Safari Landcruiser 4WD, Toyota Prado and Toyota RAV 4. For those travelling in groups, a 25 Seater bus or a custom 9 seater tour van can be readily arranged but the buses must be driven by the car hire company driver and mechanic.
With the car of your choice in your possession, you can now go out and enjoy the Scenic Kenyan beauty, the Wildlife and the Kenyan culture. You couldnt be better equiped!
Both Catherine Harvey & Josphine Muchiri are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Catherine Harvey has sinced written about articles on various topics from Culture and Society, Home and Wedding Gowns. Expert historian Catherine Harvey looks at the history of and how opinions towards it have changed.. Catherine Harvey's top article generates over 1500000 views. to your Favourites.
Josphine Muchiri has sinced written about articles on various topics from Travel and Leisure, Site Promotion and Travel and Leisure. Josephine Muchiri is a tour operator and has been organizing and reporting on Vacation, Travel and Tours for years. For more information on Car Hire Kenya, visit her site at. Josphine Muchiri's top article generates over 60500 views. to your Favourites.