14-Seater Van Hire for Events in Nairobi
A 14-seater van (typically a Toyota Hiace or Nissan Caravan) hires in Nairobi from about KES 9,500–13,000/day self-drive, or KES 13,000–18,000/day with a professional driver. For events — weddings, corporate shuttles, church outings, group airport transfers — most people take the chauffeured option so no one in the party has to drive. Half-day event packages start around KES 7,000, refundable deposits run KES 20,000–30,000, and free pickup at JKIA or your venue is standard on ICABS.
What you get for the money
The 14-seater in Kenya almost always means a Toyota Hiace ('Super Custom' or the newer wide-body) or a Nissan Caravan — the workhorses of Kenyan group transport. For events, comfort and reliability matter more than badge, so ask about air-conditioning, seat condition and the van's age before booking.
- Toyota Hiace (9L / wide-body) — the default. Reliable, easy to seat 14 plus luggage.
- Nissan Caravan — comparable, slightly roomier in some configurations.
- Look for: working A/C, tinted windows, USB charging, recent tyres.
- For weddings, some owners offer clean white vans and will remove branding on request.
Pricing by event type
How you're charged depends on the event. A wedding or airport run is usually a flat day or half-day rate; a multi-day church trip or upcountry funeral is priced per day with a mileage cap; a corporate staff shuttle is often a weekly or monthly contract.
Driver, fuel and the extras to budget
For events, a chauffeured van is the norm — the driver knows Nairobi routes, handles parking at the venue, and stays with the vehicle. Remember the running costs that sit on top of the base rate.
- Driver fee — KES 2,500–4,000/day, included in chauffeured rates
- Driver overnight allowance — KES 1,000–1,500/day if the event is upcountry
- Fuel — renter pays; a Hiace does roughly 8–9 km/litre in town
- Mileage cap — usually 150–250 km/day; upcountry trips may exceed it
- Decoration for weddings — usually the client's arrangement, cleared with the owner
- Waiting time at venues — factored into event packages, confirm the cut-off
Common event uses
The 14-seater is the most-booked event vehicle in Nairobi for good reason — it's the sweet spot between a saloon and a full 33-seater bus.
- Weddings — moving the bridal party and guests between church, gardens and reception
- Corporate shuttles — ferrying staff or conference delegates between hotel and venue
- Airport transfers — a full group landing at JKIA with luggage in one vehicle
- Church and school trips — Sunday outings, retreats, upcountry travel
- Funerals — transporting family upcountry and back
- Team-building — Naivasha, Nakuru and Machakos day trips
How to book a van for your event on ICABS
Filter the rentals page for 14-seater vans in Nairobi, compare verified listings by price and reviews, and message the owner via in-app chat with your date, route and passenger count. Confirm the driver option, mileage cap and any waiting time before you book. Pay the deposit and balance with M-Pesa, card or your ICABS wallet — every charge is itemised at checkout, so there's no fare haggling on the day.
14-seater van hire in Nairobi, indicative rates, July 2026 (KES)
| Package | Self-drive | With driver | Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Half-day (up to 5 hrs, event) | 6,000 | 9,000 | 20,000 |
| Full day (within Nairobi) | 9,500 | 14,000 | 20,000–30,000 |
| Airport transfer (JKIA, one-way) | — | 8,000–12,000 | 20,000 |
| Weekly (staff shuttle) | 57,000 | 95,000 | 30,000 |
| Upcountry day trip (per day + mileage) | 12,000 | 17,000 | 30,000 |
Frequently asked
How much does it cost to hire a 14-seater van in Nairobi?
From about KES 9,500–13,000/day self-drive, or KES 13,000–18,000/day with a driver. Half-day event packages start around KES 7,000 and airport transfers from JKIA run KES 8,000–12,000 one-way.
Does a 14-seater van come with a driver?
You choose. Most ICABS van listings offer both self-drive and chauffeured options. For weddings, corporate shuttles and airport runs, most clients take the driver so no one in the group has to drive.
Is fuel included in the van hire price?
No — fuel is the renter's responsibility on a full-to-full basis. A Toyota Hiace does roughly 8–9 km per litre in Nairobi traffic, so budget accordingly for longer or upcountry routes.
Can I hire a van for an upcountry event or funeral?
Yes. Most ICABS owners allow cross-county travel — confirm the mileage cap, driver overnight allowance (KES 1,000–1,500/day) and route with the owner via in-app chat before booking.
About James Mwangi
Head of Rentals, ICABS Solutions
James leads the ICABS rentals marketplace across Kenya. He previously ran a Nairobi-based fleet of 40+ self-drive vehicles for 7 years and writes about pricing, fleet management and operational realities of running a Kenyan rental business.