Mombasa Road delivers loads of agony to residents of Kinyambu village

Thirteen months ago today, YESU passed on after being hit by a speeding truck. YESU was what people widely knew Daniel Kiio, a one-time manamba whose work-day entailed shuttling between Kibwezi, Kinyambu, Machinery markets, and back.

  

Nobody knows where he got this nickname or the motivation behind it. 

Before he met his premature death on February 25, 2012, he had dropped touting and involved himself with crop farming and other mainstream economic activities. In fact, the last time we bumped into each other, he was ferrying a load of sisal poles from DWA Estate on his newly acquired bicycle, ostensibly headed for Kinyambu market, 195 kilometers south of Nairobi. When I learned of his demise, I could not resist updating on Facebook that Mombasa Road was more of a curse than a blessing for Kinyambu villagers.

Going forward, Mombasa Road is still a curse to the residents of Kinyambu. Scores of villagers have fallen victims to accidents involving trucks, buses or even motorbikes. I have lost count on the number of people killed in road accidents in the section of the road between Kibwezi and Machinery markets. Many more have undergone amputations. In my estimation, this number is higher than in any other section of the road of equal measure. 

Muthama, 10, an amputee, poses for the picture while resting on his undersized homemade underarm crutch. In his infancy, he was run over by a bus while crawling across Mombasa Road in pursuit of his mother who had just crossed the road near Manyanga, Kibwezi. Photo: Pius Maundu

This, then, begs the question on whether the victims are to blame.

Not in any meaningful way.

Instead, many of the accidents in this section of the road are attributable to a set of interesting factors. Terrain is the most notable. Valleys and corners characterize this section of Mombasa Road. In most cases, when drivers are approaching such valleys, thickets obscure their visibility of the oncoming vehicles uphill. 

High frequency of road accidents in this section of the road has something to do with its historical background. Traditionally, this region has been known to harbor the most notorious carjackers and thugs way laying trucks to annex their cargo. A story is told that a local legislator was once a beneficiary of this business. To compound this fright, the markets in this section have conspicuously gone without electricity. 

But the region is now safe. Kaleidoscopes greet travelers as they transverse the markets dotting this 10-kilometer section of the road. There are Administration Police posts in all the markets along the section of the road. This notwithstanding, the difficulty in convincing motorists, especially those who are cognizant of this background, to warm to the developments is imaginable. This way, drivers, especially truck drivers traveling at night do not take any risks by giving way to apparently obstructing cyclists or pedestrians. 

Recklessness of drivers in this section of the road is cause for increased road accidents. Oftentimes, this section enjoys low levels of traffic. This explains the tendency of drivers to drive at very high speeds. The result is a situation where such drivers face difficulties controlling their vehicles in the event of an obstruction by, for instance, a cyclist. Reckless driving is notorious with motorcyclists, considering the proximity of the area with Makindu market, home to Makindu Motors, the stockists of affordable Chinese brands of motorcycles.

Riders, convinced that they have learned the ropes from their friends, soon get to the road, only to find the thrill of speed irresistible. A sizeable number are oblivious of the dangers of riding without protective clothing and helmet. It is confirmed that Makindu District Hospital has a special ward for victims of motorbike accidents. And their numbers have skyrocketed since the installation of Makindu Motors in the vicinity.

Any solution?

To tame the increased road carnage, it is imperative that scores of stakeholders come together. Kenya National Highways Authority, KENHA, for instance, should sponsor campaigns on the media urging drivers to exercise caution while on Mombasa Road. Through collaboration with the National Police Service, KENHA should reaffirm the fact that drivers do not need to be frightened when driving along this section to the point of endangering other people’s lives. Without this intervention, the curse that is Mombasa Road will continue haunting Kinyambu village taking at its will hard working Kenyans such as YESU.

Youths carving a niche in assisting travelers in Machakos Airport

Mashaku. Masaku. Machakos. Machakos Airport. These are parody terms for one Machakos Country Bus terminus along Nairobi’s Landhies Road, variances pointing at the backgrounds and motivations of the scores of people using this facility.

Started in the 1930s, this sprawling bus terminus has continued to be a popular start and end of journeys of millions of travelers to and from the western and southern parts of Kenya for eons. For that entirety, guides, a stark feature and consequence of this terminus have remained uncelebrated. 

Closely associated with Machakos Country Bus terminus is a swarm of youthful guides standing at strategic points around the bus terminus wooing travelers for direction and assistance with their luggage. Camouflaged by the scores of pedestrians and traders at this section of the city, these youths naturally congregate along the wall enclosing Muthurwa market to the south or even shading under the foot bridge spanning the entrances to Muthurwa and Wakulima markets. Yet, a number would choose positioning themselves on either end of the zebra crossing perforating the point where Haile Selasie Avenue empties into the roundabout overlooking the Salvation Army Central Corps.

“These spots are strategic in that they enable us to spot travelers coming to the bus terminus,” offered the soft-spoken Amos Wepukhulu, 30, when I enquired about the motivation for the particular points of congregation.  Wepukhulu is amongst youths numbering around 20 in his understanding assisting travelers with travelling logistics ranging from boarding the right buses. “Note that we are distinct from the conventional manamba,” he quickly added, in a matter of fact manner, justifying the apparent compos mentis in these guides that contrasted the demeanor exhibited by ordinary touts.  

“Every day, we assist travelers who are not aware of the right buses to board to their various destinations. Take the case of a traveler who is going to Kakamega but does not know what buses go there. Here, we guide her appropriately. In addition, we go ahead and match travelers’ preferences such as time of travel and seat position with the tens of buses available at the terminus in any one point.  Unlike touts, we work from the point of the traveler and seldom seek to satisfy the interest of the buses,” offered Wepukhulu, sentiments that are confirmed through nodding by two more guides, Tim and Gregory Osoro, who softly find their places around Wepukhulu.

Besides, assisting travelers from the upcountry who have difficulties identifying the right destinations in the city or the right matatu to the various estates is part of what the guides undertake. Travelers from the countryside are fond of bringing with them amorphous luggage including chicken, sugar cane and sacks of ground mealie and even groundnuts. 

Before I could establish their source of sustenance, Wepukhulu drifted naturally to explaining the suitability of the team of guides. Each of the members comes from each of the main destinations of the buses, he offered. According to him knowing these destinations by heart and even knowing the various buses is an asset for the group. “Osoro here, for instance, handles all traffic going to South Rift, especially Kisii and Nyamira lands,” offered Wepukhulu, facing the direction of the now grinning Osoro. 

But what values keep these youths together? 

“We are all married. With my exception, all the rest have over four children. You see, we recognize this as a source of livelihood and this explains why we do everything necessary to satisfy the travelers,” Wepukhulu said, before owning that allowances come from the buses themselves. “Depending on the number of travelers one books to the bus company, he secures some allowance that in sometimes such as Christmas and Easter holidays accumulates to 5,000 shillings a day.”

  

Surveying the travelers reveals that the utility of the guides often goes unnoticed. Travelers oftentimes associate this group of youths soliciting for their assistance with booking buses with criminal elements. “Yes, I often ignore these guides since they are not distinguishable from the pickpockets associated with this side of town,” offered Maureen Akoth, 45, a regular traveler to Kisumu. She could not listen to the assertion that the guides could be genuine youths seeking their livelihoods by assisting travelers. 

Wepukhulu admitted the existence of such mistrust. That the area around the bus terminus is prone to criminality, to him was undeniable.  To go round the issue, the guides try to distinguish themselves from the possible criminals by dressing decently. They also refrain from any attempts of soliciting for any forms of monies from the travelers. This is besides attempting to address the travelers in their assumed home dialects at the initial stages of establishing a connection. He shrugged his shoulders when I sought to know how they were able to identify the native language of stranger. 

What is the way forward? To go through the challenges they face, Wepukhulu underlined the resolve to become unionizable. This, together with registration with the appropriate authorities, will see the group of guides secure of their continuous existence in the city. Attempts to improve on the public image of the guides will begin with an emphasis on tidiness and uniformity, he confided. 

Meanwhile, there is every reason for travelers to find the youthful guides trustworthy. For it is certain that many travelers to western and southern parts of Kenya will keep using Machakos Country Bus terminus.

Mutkos Hitech Roller Skating Club

Rolling into wealth, health in Nairobi’s Mlolongo

Tina Khavesa, roller skating coach, attends to one of the budding skaters in Mutkos Club. Roller skating is gradually gaining popularity amongst Nairobi residents. Photo: Pius Maundu

When Lorna Ochieng finally settled for Syokimau, an upcoming residential community overlooking Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to the south of Nairobi’s CBD, she still harbored some misgivings about the whole relocation idea.  Like any other parent, Ochieng was worried of the consequence of the decision on her daughter’s welfare. 

Worse still, two months before she finally moved in, Ochieng suffered the shock of her lifetime after authorities bulldozed bungalows neighboring her house in one night. Luckily, she had procured legitimate land that was not subject to legal tussles with the Kenya Airports Authority. She finally moved in only to start agonizing over the lack of social amenities in the new community. That Syokimau lacked such facilities as sports grounds where her 8 years old daughter would take part in physical activities further convinced Ochieng that she could have hurriedly decided on Syokimau. 

Does owning a home mean increased susceptibility to frustrations and inconveniences? These worries would end with the discovery of Mutkos Hitech Roller Skating Club, a budding roller-skating club in the neighboring Mlolongo market.

Mutkos Hitech, a brainchild of Samuel Mutua, 30, began in earnest in April 2012. “Before then, I used to practice in this ground with my fiancée before people got interested and requesting for training and the use of the facility. Around the same time, we acquired some roller skates and protection gear from Francis Mutuku, a well-wisher who would later become the manager of the club. This way, we were able to accommodate the first batch of trainees. The rest is history,” offered Mutua. 

Mutua is a seasoned roller skater who has continued to hone his skills in skating since his childhood days in Umoja estate. “When I relocated to Mlolongo, I brought with me this passion, and landed a suitable place for training,” he explained, referring to the 4-kilometre truck lay by overlooking the factory premises of Allpark Industries Limited, manufacturers of cartons and sacks, in Mlolongo. 

Barely a year later, Mutkos has flourished. Besides the scores of excited skaters, children, teenagers and adults, rolling up and down the track, I could easily tell of the high level of activity in this club from the scores of posh cars parked alongside the extensive track. Starters and those who were yet to muster the requisite balance enjoyed the full attention of the instructors. Conspicuously, everyone taking part in the skating had protecting gear ranging from helmets, reflective jackets, to knee and elbow guards. This prompted my interest in knowing what it took to have the skating business rolling. 

“Immediately we acquired the skating kits, we began thinking business,” Mutua offered, adding that the need for management and instruction came to the fore.  “Luckily, we started with our own. Mutuku’s three children became the first batch of trainees. However, it did not take long before the crowds of spectators who milled along the track every time we practiced translated into clients,” he added. “Today, we are talking of over 200 regular clients, ranging from children to adults, both men and women mainly from the neighboring Syokimau, Kitengela, Ellan Park, Easy Park and Valley View estates.”

Outliers like Moses Njenga come from as far as Dagoretti for very good reasons. “My plan is to take these skills to Dagoretti where I will start training skating enthusiasts,” said Njenga, adding that such facilities are lacking in that part of Nairobi.

Mutua went ahead enlisting the challenges associated with the sudden business growth. Acquiring appropriate gear and the security of the track were amongst the greatest challenges facing the club. Growth brought with it the need for additional staff, according to Mutua. "We have two of our coaches here today," he said, pointing at a muscular man whom he described as Frank and a lady who I later learned to be Tina Khavesa.  “Besides investing in more skating shoes, and paying the coaches, we heavily prioritize on safety. From the nature of this activity, it is imperative that we emphasize on personal protective equipment and first aid kits,” he said.

That many enthusiasts of roller skating could have difficulties affording their own skating shoes was anticipated during the development of Mutkos according to Mutua. Here, one can lend a pair of high quality skating shoes at only 200 shillings (USD 2) for two hours. Those with their own skating shoes pay some minimal registration fee to enjoy the services of the instructors and the facilities. 

With such humble beginnings, one would easily excuse Mutkos from giving back to the community. On the contrary, the club has a program of incorporating children who are not able to raise the required amounts of money to register. “We train them for free,” offered Mutua, adding that these children must pay back by exhibiting high levels of discipline. “They should be clean, courteous both here and back to their homes,” he added. 

Thanks to this discipline, two of such beneficiaries, who had dropped from school, recently found their way back, according to Khavesa. “Such influences on these children make working here worthwhile,” she told me before excusing herself and rolling back to the track to assist a middle-aged woman with balancing on her skates.

 “By taking part in these activities, I feel that I am applying my skills and passion to meaningful causes in the society,” Khavesa offered, when she came back from the track. By this, I quickly remembered that she would be most suited to inform me on the benefits of roller-skating. “Skating is an intensive physical activity and thus helps in burning down body calories,” she offered. She went on justifying how such activities as skating should be encouraged today owing to the tendency of people to lead sedentary lifestyles. “With physical activities, one significantly reduces the chances of suffering from life threatening disorders such as obesity and cardiovascular diseases,” she added.

Khavesa went ahead explaining how roller-skating stood above all other sporting and physical activities. The thrilling nature of the activity makes very it interesting such that one would be involved willingly, she offered narrowly missing comparing roller-skating with jogging. This explains the irresistibility of roller-skating especially with youngsters that Ochieng concurs. “Once she enrolled, my daughter has been quite energetic. She seldom spends the weekends watching television or even playing video games. Over the weekend, everything has to stop so that I drive her here to skate,” she said, in a celebratory tone. 

Brian Omondi, 10, a recent member of the skating club concurred that roller skating is thrilling. “It feels close to riding a bike but it causes more fun. You see, in skating, especially if you can balance, you feel that you are on top of the world,” he said, before adding that he is thankful to his parents for introducing him to skating. He expressed optimism that one day he will be a skating champion. 

With all these benefits of roller-skating, I had to inquire whether the club will last at least long enough for more people to benefit. Mutua was optimistic that the club would maneuver all the challenges such as the dependability of the track. Meanwhile, they are in some agreement with the local Mavoko Municipal Council to continue using the truck lay by for roller-skating. The fruition of such endeavors will be a welcome move to the many skating enthusiasts around Mlolongo. Meanwhile, Lorna Ochieng will keep frequenting Mutkos Hitech Roller Skating Club every Sunday afternoon excited that she has identified a way to keep her daughter engaged. 

Rolling into wealth, health in Nairobi's Mlolongo

When Lorna Ochieng finally settled for Syokimau, an upcoming residential community overlooking Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to the south of Nairobi’s CBD, she still harbored some misgivings about the whole relocation idea.  Like any other parent, Ochieng was worried of the consequence of the decision on her daughter’s welfare.

Worse still, two months before she finally moved in, Ochieng suffered the shock of her lifetime after authorities bulldozed bungalows neighboring her house in one night. Luckily, she had procured legitimate land that was not subject to legal tussles with the Kenya Airports Authority. She finally moved in only to start agonizing over the lack of social amenities in the new community. That Syokimau lacked such facilities as sports grounds where her 8 years old daughter would take part in physical activities further convinced Ochieng that she could have hurriedly decided on Syokimau. 

Does owning a home mean increased susceptibility to frustrations and inconveniences? These worries would end with the discovery of Mutco, a budding roller-skating club in the neighboring Mlolongo market.

Mutco, a brainchild of Francis Mwanzia, 30 and Dennis Makori, 45 began in earnest at the tail end of 2011.  “The idea started casually when my son acquired a pair of roller skaters from his uncle. He trained himself on how to skate and soon he would be the center of attention in the neighborhood. Over the weekend, Tom would be busy showcasing his prowess to his friends from far and wide. This way, I admired the popularity of roller skating in the society and starting thinking business. The rest is history,” offered Mwanzia grinning from ear to ear. Makori, a fellow machine operator of Mwanzia in Kapa Oil Refineries, would come in handy in raising the 20,000 shillings (USD 235) seed money the two would require to operationalize the business idea. 

Less than two years later, the idea behind Mutco has flourished. When I met the duo, I was petrified on how fast a noble idea could quickly transform to a thriving business. Besides the scores of skaters from children through teenagers to adults, I could easily tell the beeline of activity in this club from the scores of posh cars parked alongside the 4-kilometer long truck lay by overlooking the Police Station in Mlolongo, the track on which the skating takes place. Starters and those who had not mustered the requisite balance had the accompaniment of instructors. Conspicuously, everyone taking part in the skating had protecting gear ranging from helmets, reflective jackets, to knee and elbow protections. This prompted my interest in knowing what it takes to have the skating business rolling. 

“Immediately we got the required capital, we prioritized on instruction,” Mwanzia offered, adding that they had to think of hiring instructors. “The bulk of the remaining money went into acquiring more skating shoes, and safety equipment. From the little experience we had, it was imperative that we emphasize on personal protective equipment. In this activity, protection of the client is of utmost importance,” he offered, suggesting further that this alone explains much of their success. 

“This pair of shoes,” Mwanzia continued, stretching for a pair of size 8 roller skates, “costs over 1000 shillings in Gikomba.” Christened ‘Pro-Skaters’, this was a tough-looking skating shoe. Insights from the duo indicated that this brand of skates is ranks highly in terms of quality of rubber rollers and the comfort it guarantees the wearer. As expected, not everybody interested in skating could own a pair of skating shoes.

That many enthusiasts of roller skating could have difficulties affording their own skating shoes was anticipated during the development of Mutco, according to Mwanzia. Here, one can lend a pair of high quality skating shoes at only 200 shillings (USD 2) for two hours. Those with their own skating shoes pay some minimal registration fee to enjoy the services of the instructors and the facilities. 

“You see those ones,” implored Mwanzia pointing at one of the lady instructors whom he had earlier introduced as Cate, “they keep this business going and thus take home over half of the proceeds.”

With these metrics, I could not help wonder whether this business is sustaining. It does. Mwanzia confided that three months into the business, he resigned from formal employment. “I was able to earn three times what my Asian employer paid me in a month. His partner followed suit a month later. “This way, we resolved to accord the business the attention it deserved.” On her part, Cate whose full names I learned were Catherine Njeri, a final year Physical Education student in Kenyatta University, owned that working in Mutco has been rewarding. “It deserves much of the credit for my higher education. Raising fees has been easy,” she told me before excusing herself and rolling back to the track to assist a middle-aged woman with balancing on her skates. 

“By taking part in these activities, I feel that I am applying my skills and passion to meaningful causes in the society,” Njeri offered, when she came back from the track. By this, I quickly remembered that she would be most suited to inform me on the benefits of roller-skating. 

“Skating is an intensive physical activity and thus helps in burning down body calories,” she offered. She went further justifying how such activities as skating should be encouraged today owing to the tendency of people to lead sedentary lifestyles. “With physical activities, one significantly reduces the chances of suffering from life threatening disorders such as obesity and cardiovascular diseases,” she added.

Njeri went ahead and explained how roller-skating stood above all other sporting and physical activities. The thrilling nature of the activity makes very it interesting such that one would be involved willingly, she offered narrowly missing comparing roller-skating with jogging. This explains the irresistibility of roller-skating especially with youngsters that Ochieng concurs. “Once she enrolled, my daughter has been quite energetic. She seldom spends the weekends watching television or even playing video games. Over the weekend, everything has to stop so that I drive her here to skate,” she said, wearing a celebratory tone. 

Some people turn to diets to address diseases such obesity and cardiovascular  infections. Oftentimes, this approach fails in sustainability and efficiency

Osborne, 6, a recent member of the skating club concurred that roller skating is thrilling. “It feels close to riding a bike but it causes more fun. You see, in skating, especially if you can balance, you feel that you are on top of the world,” he said, before adding that he is thankful to his parents for introducing him to skating. He expressed optimism that one day he will participate in national skating championships.

With all these benefits of roller-skating, I had to inquire whether the club will last at least long enough for more people to benefit. Mwanzia and Makori are currently maneuvering a number of challenges such as the dependability of the track by procuring a plot in the neighborhood and developing it to a track. Meanwhile, they are in some agreement with the local Mavoko Municipal Council to continue using the truck lay by for roller-skating. The fruition of such endeavors will make Mwanzia, Makori, Njeri, Ochieng and the hundreds of roller skaters in Mutco proud to be associated with Syokimau.