The Mercedes Benz Club of Kenya’s first activity for the year 2018 was the “Toa stress drive” (eliminate stress drive). This is our annual event to kick off our year’s calendar. The Club’s leadership launched an energetic campaign including using social media to advertise the event and attract new members to participate in the drive and join the club.

From as early as 8:30 a.m. Mercedes Benz vehicles began to arrive at the designated assembly point at the Ridgeways Mall and as the drivers began to mingle and discuss their different vehicles, the mood quickly turned festive and the excitement was almost palpable. It was particularly pleasing to see the large turnout by Mercedes Benz owners who were not as yet members of the Club. As a result of the experience that they had engaging with members and the committee, some of them joined the club immediately and others made commitments to join the club.

The group left the mall in a convoy and snaked its way towards Kiambu town attracting attention and admiration from curious resident and motorists who were surprised to see so many Mercedes Benz vehicles in one place. The route that had been selected was scenic, passing through a mix of residential areas and then farm country including coffee and tea farms. The convoy stopped after Kiambu and closer to Limuru area where a photoshoot had been arranged.

 After the photoshoot, the group joined the highway and headed to Naivasha through the Mai Mahiu route arrived at the Buffalo Mall in Naivasha after encountering some traffic along the way. There were a number of lunch options available from the various restaurants within the mall, but the majority present opted to have charcoal roasted goat meat served with a selection of vegetables.

 Once everyone had finished their lunch, Ron Nginda (Chairman) made a few remarks before inviting Cathy Wairimu (Secretary) to lead the members in celebrating with all those who had their birthdays in the month of January. Cathy brought out the birthday cake which was shaped like a vehicle tyre and bore the Club’s logo which delighted everyone, the group sang happy birthday for the January “babies” who cut the cake together and shared it around.

 Members were then free to leave and headed back to Nairobi winding up a great day out with the cars.