For drivers, especially in Nakuru city centre, there is nothing as satisfying as coming across ‘the perfect parking spot’; a good shade and a watchy who you know will keep an eye out so that nothing happens to your vehicle.

When you walk around, the parking spots with natural shades (trees) are always occupied.

One such place is the stretch between Woolmart and Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) in Kenyatta avenue and the location near the County Commissioner's Office behind the Nakuru County Government offices.

After parking your car, what many drivers never seem to remember is that they are parking at their own risk and that when you come back, you might find the vehicle on top of stones with the tyres gone together with the side mirrors.

In worse cases, it could be stolen all together.

Unfortunately, some five drivers came to find out on Tuesday evening, that the tree shade you so much desire, might end up being the "enemy within".

This was after heavy winds accompanied with the rain, made trees fall on some of the vehicles that were parked opposite Westside mall.

Read: Trees fall on five cars parked near KFA roundabout in Nakuru city

One could only imagine the long conversations the car owners were going to have with their insurance companies.

Also, picture this, you came to town driving your own car and now you have to leave by matatu; talk of a plot twist.

For any driver, after you have managed to park your car and switched it off, knowingly or unknowingly you take a few seconds to just look around the vehicle and that thought of never seeing it again rarely crosses your mind.

One never thinks that you might come back and find yourself in a situation like the five drivers.

Maybe occurrences like what happened on Tuesday is why parking spaces make a point of informing car owners that they park at their own risk.

For those of us who cannot relate to such problems, tupatane stage tungoje matatu zitupelekee home.

When the shade is too good, think twice

Author Spotlight

Bret Sanya