Kenya boasts a vast range of public transport options. This spans, in my humble opinion, from the unsafe to the very unsafe, yet in a strange way it makes travel exciting! You couldn’t write some of the things they come up with here. Many of the common modes of transport find themselves with double-barreled, onomatopoeic titles. For example, the Tuk-Tuk, which can only be described as a three wheeled motorbike with a hood. They say it’s called a Tuk-Tuk due to the machine-gun like sound it makes… tuk tuk tuk tuk tuk tuk tuk… that is comically rather accurate (and noisy).
The double-barreled titles continue with the bicycle which is addressed in kiswahili as the Boda-Boda and the kind of travel most associated with the village. The Boda-Boda, for me, is easily the most dangerous way to travel around town, especially as other drivers do not refrain from nudging the rear wheel if it happens to be impeding their journey! As well as holding little or no respect on the road, the Boda-Boda is slow and often more expensive!
This leads me to the motorbike and my dream of one day learning to ride one. Affectionately known as the Piki-Piki in East Africa, the motorbike is a must have commodity. In Kisumu, at least, I give this mode of transport top marks for its availability (at any time of the day) and general cost effectiveness (not forgetting the coolness factor). However, it’s the thrill of being whisked off through the dusty suburbs of Sub-Saharan Africa with the wind blowing in ones hair and the satisfaction of not having every inch of personal space invaded, much like on the matatu!
After seven months of testing the exciting modes of transportation, I thank God he has answered prayers and watched over my safety! He is faithful – that’s for sure!
Very good observation and very true,we call it 'door to door' service, irene
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