Unveiling the Essence of Traffic Habits in Kenya through a 30-minute Study
In the heart of Garden City, a bustling district of Nairobi, a social experiment unfolded near the bus stage. A stern-faced police officer, tasked with managing traffic, was the centre of attention.
Over a 30-minute period, the officer stopped 15 vehicles, averaging one stop every two minutes. Matatus, public minibuses, and boda boda riders, the backbone of Kenyan transportation, were observed to be unruly, disregarding order and traffic rules. However, the situation painted a more complex picture.
Each stop involved the officer inspecting insurance and other stickers, as well as a cursory walk-around of the vehicle. Half of the interactions ended with a wave, allowing the drivers to continue their journey. The other half involved longer conversations, raising suspicions of potential bribes being negotiated. One interaction, involving a Mercedes-Benz, saw the officer and driver engaged in a private discussion, ending with the officer wearing a broad grin upon leaving the car.
The chaotic management of roads in this context stands in stark contrast to the dream of becoming like Singapore, a city-state renowned for its discipline and efficient systems. The author, a communications consultant, questions how Kenya can aspire to have modern cities and disciplined systems if simple traffic rules cannot be enforced.
The focus is not just on one officer but on the system as a whole, with concerns about accountability, transparency, and corruption in traffic law enforcement. The disciplinary authority became aware of the officer's suspicious behaviour through a report created during the public prosecutor's office investigation. It identified 19 unauthorized accesses by the officer, raising questions about the integrity of the system.
The success of Singapore was built on discipline, rule of law, and the enforcement of basics, which seems lacking in the current context of Kenyan roads. As Kenya continues to strive for modernity, addressing these issues becomes crucial in shaping a future where traffic rules are not just a dream, but a reality.
