Photo/ Vehicles plying along Ugandan road.
By Sean Ngirici
editor@themountainjournal.co.ke
This ultimately comes down to the two capitals, Nairobi and Kampala. Different cities in different
countries but one shared challenge: traffic chaos. Let us look deeper and see what stories the roads
tell us.
The Kenyans have a mix of modernization and reckless tradition. From matatus speeding past other
motorists breaking rules whilst blasting music to boda boda riders weaving through traffic.
Despite the country’s investments in CCTV, and NTSA digital systems, enforcement remains shaky.
Corruption and aggressive driving still derail order.
Still, Nairobians, somehow, get there.
Photo/Congestion along one of the Kenyans road.
Our neighbours on the other hand, in Kampala, traffic is more at a slower rhythm. Traffic snarls are
common, especially along Jinja Road or Wandegeya.
Boda bodas dominate their roads, but drivers
are much more patient. They tend not to honk to each other and rather prefer having silents
negotiations.
Unlike Nairobi, traffic is mainly controlled by police or community volunteers.
In Kenya, road systems are ambitious and more technologically based yet almost always ignored by
motorists.
While Nairobi roads buzz with urgency, Kampala’s are marked by quiet endurance. In
short, Kenya races, Uganda waits. But on both sides of the border, each journey demands sharp
instincts and a whole lot of brake fluid.
John Odhiambo a resident of Kisumu says Kenya traffic remains disorganised compared to Uganda which has an elaborate system.
“Traffic police officers in Kenya ought to undertake a refresher course in Uganda and learn how one need to be serious while working on the roads,” said Odhiambo.
