Meet Lorna Chema, the queen of motorcycle repair in Kabarnet town
Lorna Chema, 30, a female mechanic at a motorcycle garage in Kabarnet town, Baringo Central, on May 27, 2026. The mother of two has defied the odds to excel in the male-dominated field.
What you need to know:
- After leaving a hotel job, Lorna Chema built a thriving career repairing motorcycles and challenging stereotypes.
- The Baringo mother of two has earned respect in mechanics through skill, persistence and unwavering determination.
Dressed in blue overalls stained with grease and engine oil, Lorna Chema crouches beside a motorcycle in a busy garage in Kabarnet, Baringo Central. With a spanner firmly in hand, she loosens a stubborn bolt before carefully inspecting worn parts and carrying out routine servicing.
Around her, motorcycle engines roar, tools clang against metal, and conversations between mechanics and customers fill the air. Yet amid the noise and constant activity, the 30-year-old works with calm precision and growing authority, qualities that have earned her respect in a profession long dominated by men.
Behind the oil-stained overalls lies a story of determination, resilience and quiet defiance of social expectations. From hotel attendant to Kabarnet’s only female motorcycle mechanic, Lorna has challenged stereotypes and proved that no profession is reserved for a particular gender.
She moved from Kakamega to Kabarnet in 2017 in search of work and, like many young people seeking opportunities away from home, was willing to take any job to make ends meet. A few weeks after arriving, she secured employment as a hotel attendant.
However, while the job provided a steady income, her path changed when she became fascinated by a nearby motorcycle garage. During her free time, she would visit the workshop and watch mechanics repair motorcycles, replace spare parts, change engine oil and diagnose faults.
“What started as curiosity quickly turned into a passion. I left my home in Kakamega in 2017 to stay with my aunt in Kabarnet and look for work. A few weeks later, I got a job as a hotel attendant. Near the hotel was a motorcycle garage, and I would often go there to observe what the mechanics were doing,” she said.
Lorna Chema, 30, a female mechanic at a motorcycle garage in Kabarnet town, Baringo Central, on May 27, 2026. The mother of two has defied the odds to excel in the male-dominated field.
Eager to learn, she began asking questions and seeking guidance from the mechanics. Within weeks, she had acquired basic skills, including repairing punctures, changing engine oil and carrying out routine servicing. As her confidence grew, so did her ambition. She eventually made a bold decision, leaving her hotel job to join the garage full-time.
“I had developed a stronger interest in repairing motorcycles than working in hospitality. Once I had acquired some skills, I decided to pursue mechanics full-time,” she said.
The transition was not easy. Many customers doubted her ability simply because she was a woman. Some would bring motorcycles in for minor tasks, such as tightening mirrors or fixing brakes, merely to test her competence.
“My first days at the garage were difficult. Some customers could not believe that a woman could repair motorcycles. Others would stand and watch closely to see whether I was doing the right thing,” she recalled.
“Despite the criticism and ridicule, I kept showing up every day. With time, customers realised I knew what I was doing. Today, many specifically ask for me to repair their motorcycles.”
Nine years on, Lorna has built a solid reputation as a skilled mechanic capable of diagnosing faults, dismantling engines, and carrying out a wide range of repair and maintenance tasks. The mother of two says balancing work and family life remains challenging but manageable with discipline.
Balancing act
“I wake up early to prepare my children for school before heading to the garage. In the evening, I return home to prepare supper for my family. Over the years, I have learned how to balance motherhood and my career,” she told the Nation.
Her work provides a vital source of income. On good days, she earns more than Sh1,500, while on slower days she takes home about Sh600. “Through this work, I have been able to provide for my family, pay school fees and meet other household needs,” she said.
Lorna now encourages other women not to shy away from careers traditionally viewed as male-dominated. “My message to women is that no job should be dismissed simply because society says it is meant for men. As long as it is honest work and can earn you a living, pursue it. Through hard work, determination and perseverance, I have shown that passion matters more than gender,” she said.
Husband's support
She also credits her husband for standing by her despite early scepticism from some relatives. “At first, some of my in-laws wondered how their son had married a mechanic. They even joked that I was ‘a man in a skirt’. But with time, they accepted and embraced what I do. My husband has always supported me,” she said.
Although she currently works in someone else’s garage, Lorna dreams of owning her own business. “My goal is to open a spare-parts shop and establish my own garage. I believe in growth and would also like to create employment opportunities for others,” she said.
Like many small business operators, she faces challenges, including customers who take motorcycles for so-called ‘road tests’ after repairs and never return to pay. Despite such setbacks, her resolve remains unwavering. “I am proud of what I do and intend to remain a mechanic for the rest of my life. I love this work, and nothing can distract me from pursuing it.”
Her employer, Benjamin Chumo, describes her as exceptional. “She started coming to the garage during her free time to learn in 2017. She was a fast learner and quickly mastered everything from basic repairs to engine work and diagnostics. Today, customers specifically ask for her services,” he said.
Benjamin added that he trusts her enough to run the garage in his absence. “She is patient, hardworking and knows how to relate well to customers. Those qualities have earned her loyalty and respect,” he said.
Among her regular clients is boda boda rider Vincent Kemboi, who admits he was initially sceptical. “I was surprised the first time I found a woman repairing motorcycles. I doubted whether she could fix my bike, so I asked her to repair the brakes first. She did an excellent job. Since then, she has been my mechanic whenever I have a problem,” he said.
