Passport shower: 10 peculiar Kenyan habits when it rains

 Fear of cold water is such that some go for weeks without taking a shower

It has been raining cats, dogs and not a few warthogs in Kenya, where people are wired differently at the slightest sign of downpour.

Indeed, rains reveal peculiar habits of Nairobians, some bordering on the comical and the absurd. Here are 10 of peculiar habits whether during a drizzle or heavy downpour:

1. Passport shower 

The rainy season is characterised by chilly weather, such that only hot showers would be ideal. As such, showering can be a real nightmare during blackouts.

Fear of cold water is such that some residents go for weeks without taking a shower! Most prefer to bath ‘passport’ style, using one hand.  

2.  Them belly full

Many Nairobians believe that a hefty meal warms the belly. As the saying goes, some heat comes from the stomach.

Nairobians thus clear mountains of ugali, besides munching on mahindi and mutura on their way home, all on account of the rains! Even slay queens are not left behind.

3.  Handbags the new juala 

The ban on plastics saw women lose the juala as source of head cover during a downpour. Most now use their handbags to protect their weaves, which at best resemble bird nests.

4.  Kupoteza mwamvuli 

People leave their umbrellas in matatus, lifts and offices. Forgetting seems to become a national plague when it rains.

The poor guys then end up being marooned under a kiosk roof when it rains, seething with anger.

5.  Mad rush

Whenever it rains, Nairobians simply rush home, creating traffic snarl-ups. And it is not just those using public service vehicles who make a dash for home.

Even those with private cars suddenly get the urge to rush home, ending up in a jam that ensures everyone reaches home late.

6. Night rabbits

Nairobians behave like rabbits during the rainy and cold season. Four months after the rains, the number of women walking like they are about to capsize goes up.

To prove this claim, just ask the person next to you when their birthday is...then count nine months backwards. You see!

7. A million lies

The rains give Nairobians the perfect excuse to lie why they are late for work or get home late after philandering around.

Floods, blocked roads, traffic, lack of transport and being marooned in Athi River are added to cover up for time with mpango wa kando.  

8.  Tree activists 

Feeling guilty for having never planted a tree in their lives and having heard about climate change, the Nairobian will make that rare trip to shags to plant trees. 

Predictably, they will flood social media with photos of their excursions and lengthy lectures on the importance of planting trees to protect the environment.

9.  Wet clowns

It is not unusual to come across a man or woman who ordinarily dresses elegantly, but during the cold season, they overdress: what with two cardigans, a rain coat and a muffin hat?

Add Eskimo boots and you get the picture of wet clowns.

10.  Endless tea

A cold season is synonymous with taking endless cups of tea for some people from a ‘certain community’.