Rainy Season Driving in Kenya

When the long rains arrive, worn tyres turn every junction into a risk. Wet grip is where good tyres earn their money.

Aquaplaning

At speed on standing water, worn tread can't channel water away and the tyre lifts off the road — you lose steering and braking entirely. Deep, fresh tread is your only defence. Below about 3mm, wet performance drops sharply even though 1.6mm is 'legal'.

Braking distances

Wet braking distances can be double the dry figure — more on bald tyres. Leave far more following distance in the rain, and slow down before corners, not during them.

What to check before the rains

• Tread depth (replace anything under 3mm).
• Even wear (a sign of alignment issues).
• Correct pressure — under-inflation worsens aquaplaning.

If you're heading into the rainy season on tired tyres, come in for an honest check. Better a new set than a wet-road accident.