How to Arrive Alive

I have decided to keep parts of this blog public and center them on things culturally specific to Kenya. Today’s blog will center on TRANSPORTATION. The driving standards in Kenya, or lack thereof, are, to put it lightly, lax. There are driving schools on almost every corner, which I have taken to believe that this form of driving is actually taught. If I am correct in this assumption, students learning to drive are told to pay no mind to stoplights, pedestrians, or other cars. They are to continue driving when people are walking and only to use the brake when they are within one millimeter of another moving vehicle or human. On one of the first times I drove in Kenya, I nearly had a heart attack when my driver decided to reverse and make a full on U-turn in heavy traffic on the freeway. I have gotten more used to such ways, but it still catches me off guard every now and then (or all the time). The ways of getting around Kenya, specifically the downtown Nairobi area, can be broken down into a few simple categories. If you are in a bit off a rush and have a few extra shillings to spare, a cab is the way to go. Cabs are not metered, so you must first work out a price with the driver. If you are a mizungu (white westerner), such as myself, the price named will often be much higher than normal. You simply inform them that, while you may be white, you are not an idiot and bargain until a suitable price is reached. Another form of transport is the city hopper, which is basically like our bus system with set destinations and prices. If you have a bit more time on your hands and don’t mind a crowd, the Matatu is the way to go. Native to Kenya, the matatu is a large van, which generally seats 14 people. Due to new laws passed in Kenya, this amount of people cannot be exceeded or all individuals on board will be arrested (or be forced to bribe the officer). Matatus, while not be the classiest or safest means of transport, are quite cheap. Not only are they inexpensive, but the cost they save on upkeep of the upholstery goes straight into big screen TV’s blasting western music videos. The loud music, constant stops, and insane driving make the Matutus hands down the most interesting means of transportation. If you are going alone, however, you might just want to hop on the back of a motorbike. My first time doing so, I grabbed on tight ready to be thrown from the bike, only to find that it really is not much different than sitting in a car. All in all, getting around in the tight and crazy traffic of Kenya is nothing short of an adventure.