NAIROBI, KENYA — For residents in Nairobi and Utawala, the morning commute took a surreal turn earlier this week.
The familiar sights of the Eastern Bypass were briefly eclipsed by the sharp, glinting angles of a Tesla Cybertruck.
Consequently, onlookers and tech enthusiasts quickly flooded social media with clips of the “stainless-steel beast” as it navigated the bypass, drawing a massive crowd of excited Utawala residents who were eager to document the first-ever sighting of the vehicle in the capital.
Notably, this follows a similarly viral scene in Mombasa, where the truck was spotted charging at City Mall in Nyali.
As fascinated coastal residents snapped photos, the video went viral across Kenya, subsequently sparking intense speculation about how this armored electric pickup reached Kenyan shores.
The CyberLocos: A Guinness World Record in the Making
Furthermore, it has been revealed that the vehicle is not a local purchase but the primary transport for Berni and Alex, the adventurers behind the global expedition team CyberLocos.
On January 13, 2026, the duo confirmed they are using the Cybertruck to set a Guinness World Record for the most continents crossed in an electric pickup.
The Expedition Thus Far:
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United States: The journey began with a cross-country trek.
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South America: In addition to North America, they navigated the Andes and the Amazon.
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Europe & Central Asia: Testing high-speed infrastructure and rugged steppes.
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The Middle East: Moreover, they spent time conquering desert dunes.
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Africa (The Current Stage): Ultimately, Kenya marks the official entry point for their African crossing.
Engineering “For Any Planet”
As specified by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, the Cybertruck is “a vehicle built for any planet,” largely because it is engineered from ultra-hard 30X cold-rolled stainless steel—the same material found in SpaceX’s Starship rockets.
“We want everyone to see that clean energy is powerful enough to take you around the world,” the CyberLocos stated.
In particular, their goal is to prove that electric vehicles can conquer Africa’s most challenging landscapes, from the deserts of northern Kenya to the highlands.
Tech Specs: Powering the African Crossing
While the Cybertruck is a bold design statement, it is simultaneously a high-performance machine designed for extreme endurance.
| Feature | Specification |
| Engine Output | 845-horsepower |
| Acceleration | 0–100 km/h in 2.6 seconds |
| Towing Capacity | Over 4.9 tonnes |
| Range | Up to 550 kilometres per charge |
| Material | Bulletproof, cold-rolled stainless steel |
| Price Point | Ksh 9.8 million to Ksh 16 million |
Demonstrating Clean Energy’s Capability
Beyond the record-breaking attempt, the CyberLocos are using their three-ton pickup to demonstrate bi-directional charging, which allows the vehicle’s battery to power homes or other EVs directly.
As a result, as they head out of Nairobi, the team is inviting the public to “see it, touch it, and take photos” to normalize the presence of high-performance electric vehicles in the African savannah.
Background Information About Cybertrucks
The Tesla Cybertruck is the flagship electric pickup from Tesla, Inc., the American automotive and clean energy giant led by CEO Elon Musk.
Since its serial production began at Gigafactory Texas in late 2023, the vehicle has transitioned from a polarizing prototype to a multi-award-winning powerhouse in the EV sector.
As of early 2026, Tesla has further refined the lineup, centering its offerings on high-performance dual and tri-motor variants that define the “Foundation Series” currently seen in global expeditions.
Global Market Pricing (2025–2026)
While early reservations in 2019 teased a $39,900 entry point, the current global economic landscape and high demand for the truck’s unique “exoskeleton” have shifted prices significantly.
| Model Variant | Estimated Price (USD) | Estimated Price (KES) |
| Long Range (RWD) | ~$72,235 | ~Ksh 9.4 Million |
| All-Wheel Drive (AWD) | ~$82,235 | ~Ksh 10.7 Million |
| Cyberbeast (Tri-Motor) | ~$114,990 to $117,235 | ~Ksh 15 – 16 Million |
Note: These prices represent the base MSRP in the United States. Import duties, shipping, and local taxes can drive the “landed” cost in Kenya to well over Ksh 20 million for private owners.
Global Awards and Critical Accolades
Initially met with skepticism regarding its safety and utility, the Cybertruck has recently secured several prestigious industry honors:
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IIHS Top Safety Pick+ (December 2025): In a major upset, the Cybertruck was named the safest pickup truck by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, outperforming the Ford F-150.
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Tesla achieved this by updating the front underbody and footwell structures for units built after April 2025.
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MotorTrend’s “Best Tech” Award (2025): Recognized for its revolutionary steer-by-wire system, which replaces mechanical steering columns with digital sensors and motors—a first for mass-market consumer vehicles.
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American-Made Index Leader: The Cybertruck has been ranked as one of the most “American-made” pickups, with over 65% of its parts sourced from the US and Canada, a testament to Tesla’s vertical integration.
Beyond hardware, the truck serves as a mobile power plant. Its Powershare technology (bi-directional charging) won praise for its ability to provide up to 9.6 kW of power—enough to run a job site or keep a home functioning during a blackout.