Category Archives: Travelling Tales

Jane Mwikali died last week and it did not make the news. Probably not Covid related but certainly Kibera related, Jane’s demise was a bit premature. Jane ran a barely recognisable retail kiosk on questionable economics, with eclectic unreliable stock and a wafer thin footfall. ‘I’ll get your change later’ was always followed by anContinue reading “Jane…”

Nairobi’s notorious transport infrastructure is tightening its stranglehold upon the health and patience of city commuters daily. Eye watering and visible black acrid diesel exhaust choke the peak time air whilst ageing poorly maintained vehicles grind into gridlock on a daily basis. On a main arterial route, six lines of frustration morph into eight annexingContinue reading “Chap Chap…”

Disposing of any type of waste in Kibera is a huge challenge. Flying toilets, open sewers and informal housing density provide little opportunity and even less incentive to tackle what seems like an impossible problem. Dumping just out of site and open burning do little to mitigate as daily survival takes precedence over longer termContinue reading “Pockets of Hope…”

Dealing with menstrual poverty is rarely high on the to-do lists of those that are not affected by it. The reality is that it affects not just the individual, but it has a huge impact on female independence, social order, education and the local economy. Exclusion from education and work during menstruation, poor understanding, traditionalContinue reading “Mooncups…”

By any measure it’s a protracted safari from Burundi to Kibera and at around 1200 matatu kilometres is an arduous achievement. Barely breaching his twenties, Steve had left his family and the Burundi challenges to make the long trek solo in search of the bright lights and financial illusions of the Nairobi metropolis. Realistically thatContinue reading “Burundi Steve’s Smokies…”

It is conceivable that the Swahili word ‘tatu’ referred to the one time three shilling standard fare, is now more likely to indicate ‘always room for three more’.  The maximum advertised passenger vehicle capacity is always a minimum. Boarding the Matatu is a chaotic endeavour. Conductors hustle passengers, negotiate fares and communicate with the driversContinue reading “Riding the Matatu…”