Cost of Renting a Car in Nairobi (2026 Guide)
Renting a car in Nairobi in 2026 starts at around KES 2,500/day for an Economy hatchback (e.g., Toyota Vitz, Mazda Demio), KES 4,500/day for a Standard sedan (Toyota Corolla, Mazda Axela), KES 7,500/day for an SUV or Premium vehicle, and KES 9,500+/day for vans. Weekly and monthly rentals are 15–30% cheaper per day, refundable deposits range KES 5,000–30,000, and most ICABS owners include free pickup at JKIA, Wilson Airport or your hotel.
Daily, weekly and monthly rates by category
ICABS uses tiered pricing — the longer you rent, the lower the per-day cost. The table below shows current Nairobi market rates as of April 2026.
What's included in the headline price
The advertised daily rate on a Nairobi rental usually includes basic third-party insurance, a daily mileage allowance (typically 100–250 km), and free pickup within a defined radius (often the entire CBD plus JKIA). It does NOT typically include fuel, additional driver, GPS, or comprehensive cover — these are add-ons billed separately.
- Third-party insurance (basic) — included
- Daily mileage allowance — included up to the listing's cap
- Pickup at JKIA / Wilson / Nairobi CBD — usually free
- Fuel — not included; full-to-full policy
- Comprehensive cover — optional add-on, KES 800–2,000/day
- Additional driver — KES 500/day on most listings
- Cross-county travel (e.g., to Mombasa) — confirm with owner
Deposits and how they work
Every Nairobi rental requires a refundable deposit held against damage or excess mileage. Economy listings typically ask for KES 5,000–10,000, Standard sedans KES 10,000–20,000, and Premium / SUV listings KES 20,000–30,000. The deposit is captured at booking and refunded within 24–48 hours of a clean return.
How to find the cheapest verified rental
On ICABS, sort by category and county to compare like-for-like. A well-maintained Toyota Vitz from a long-tenured owner can be 20% cheaper than a flashier car of the same category but lower utilisation. Read the reviews, check the mileage cap, and message the owner before booking — that conversation alone weeds out 90% of bad rentals.
Indicative Nairobi rental rates, April 2026 (KES, starting prices)
| Category | Daily | Weekly | Monthly | Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | 2,500 | 15,000 | 55,000 | 5,000–10,000 |
| Standard | 4,500 | 27,000 | 95,000 | 10,000–20,000 |
| Premium | 7,500 | 45,000 | 165,000 | 20,000–30,000 |
| SUV / 4x4 | 7,500 | 45,000 | 165,000 | 20,000–30,000 |
| Van | 9,500 | 57,000 | 200,000 | 20,000–30,000 |
Frequently asked
Is it cheaper to rent in Nairobi than Mombasa?
Generally yes — Nairobi has the largest inventory in Kenya, so competition pushes daily rates down. Mombasa rentals tend to be 10–20% more for similar categories due to lower supply.
Can I get a discount for a one-month rental?
Yes — monthly rates on ICABS are typically 25–35% cheaper per day than daily rates. Most owners apply the discount automatically via tiered pricing once you set the rental length to 30+ days.
Are taxes (VAT) included?
All prices on ICABS are displayed inclusive of platform fees and applicable taxes — the price you see is what you pay.
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.