Why Spare Parts Are Kenya’s Silent Goldmine
My dear entrepreneurs,
Sometimes the most profitable businesses in Kenya are not glamorous. They don’t trend on social media. They don’t require perfect English or fancy branding.
But silently… they turn ordinary people into millionaires.
One of those businesses is the car spare parts business.
Walk through Kirinyaga Road (Nairobi), Makupa (Mombasa), or Garissa Lodge, and you’ll see ordinary men and women who started with one tiny stall. Today, many of them run full shops, warehouses, and even become distributors.
Why the Spare Parts Business Is So Profitable
Kenya has over 3 million vehicles on the road — and every single one of them breaks down.
Cars will always need:
- Brake pads
- Filters
- Oils
- Bumpers
- Side mirrors
- Tyres
- Suspension parts
- Sensors
- Plugs
- Belts
- Ball joints
- Shocks
👉 Cars don’t “plan” breakdowns. When something spoils, owners fix it immediately. That means cash flow is consistent all year round.
How Much Money Can You Make?
Profits depend on your stock, location, and variety. But margins are impressive:
- Retail Profit Margins: 30% – 70% (brake pads, filters, plugs, sensors)
- High-Margin Items: 70% – 120% (body parts, used parts/tokumbas, accessories, engine components)
Monthly Income Potential
- Small shop (KSh 150K–300K stock): Profit KSh 40,000 – 80,000
- Mid-sized shop (KSh 500K–1M stock): Profit KSh 120,000 – 250,000
- Big shop (KSh 2M–5M stock): Profit KSh 350,000 – 800,000
👉 In busy areas like Nairobi CBD, Kisumu, Eldoret, Mombasa, Nakuru… you can move stock daily and even hit KSh 50,000 in one day.
Where to Source Spare Parts
A) Direct Import
- Dubai: Cheapest for accessories & Japanese parts
- Japan: Used original parts (tokumbas)
- China: Affordable aftermarket parts
- India: Best for motorcycle & small engine parts
Direct imports = double profit margins.
B) Local Wholesale Markets
If you’re starting small, source locally:
- Nairobi: Kirinyaga Road, Industrial Area, Grogon, Kamukunji
- Mombasa: Majengo, Makupa, Bondeni
- Eastleigh & Garissa Lodge: Affordable Chinese & Dubai imports
C) Used Spare Parts (Tokumbas)
- Grogon (Nairobi)
- Mombasa garages
- Direct imports from Japan
Tokumbas often deliver 100%+ profit because they’re high quality and cheaper than new.
The Secret: Specialize in One Brand
Beginners fail by trying to sell everything. Winners specialize.
Pick one:
- Toyota
- Nissan
- Subaru
- Mazda
- Volkswagen
- Mercedes
- Motorbike parts (TVS, Bajaj, Boxer)
👉 Customers trust shops that focus on one brand. Garages will send clients your way. Be known as “The Toyota Guy” or “The Subaru Lady”.
Value Additions That Boost Profits
People don’t just want parts — they want convenience.
- Offer delivery to garages
- Market via WhatsApp & Facebook
- Provide basic installation (wipers, plugs)
- Give free compatibility advice
- Build strong relationships with mechanics
👉 Mechanics are your biggest salespeople. Treat them well, and they’ll send you customers daily.
Real Talk: Starting Small
Some fear this business looks “big.” But you can start with KSh 20,000 selling:
- Engine oil
- Filters
- Plugs
- Brake pads
- Wipers
- Car accessories
Your business will grow slowly… then suddenly.
Why Spare Parts Are Recession-Proof
- Cars will never stop breaking down
- New vehicles enter Kenya every month
- Mechanics need parts daily
This is not just a business — it’s a wealth path.
Final Word: Start Now, Not Later
If you want a business with:
- High daily sales
- High margins
- Steady cash flow
- Massive demand
- Low risk
- Guaranteed growth
👉 The car spare parts business is your lane.
Start small.
Learn fast.
Specialize.
Build relationships.
Reinvest profits.
Grow steadily.
Your small shelf today can become a shop.
Your shop can become a warehouse.
Your warehouse can become an import empire.
Success favors those who start — not those who wait.
