Christmas rush to 'shags': We never learn, do we?

Massive traffic jam along the Nakuru-Nakuru Highway as hundreds of passengers and motorists make their way upcountry for Christmas and New Year celebrations on December 23, 2024. Police officers were strategically positioned to deter rogue drivers from overlapping, a common practice that often worsens congestion on this busy route. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Traffic jams migrate to rural areas during the festive season as we rush to leave the city, which is not surprising.

We have failed to solve our traffic and logistic problems. Scientific thinking, cause and effect, seems still not part of our psyche. 

Think of it: We have bought more cars but not built more roads. And we often forget our roads lead to neighbouring countries - Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, DR Congo and Tanzania.  

Let’s give credit, things would be worse if trucks were not diverted to Mai Mahiu.  However, the section between Limuru and Mai Mahiu has remained the same for more than 50 years despite more vehicles to western Kenya using that route through Narok and Mulot.  

The section through the escarpment is a major bottleneck. The other bottleneck is the Limuru-Flyover (Magumu) section.

The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) advises motorists to use the Njabini-Ol Kalou-Dundori Road to Nakuru.

But how do you get there from Limuru? This is a major bottleneck with more cars than trucks. And during the festive season, anyone owing a car puts it on the road.

Why is Nyandarua not marketing the scenic route through The Happy Valley to avoid traffic jams? Why not make hay while the sun shines? Why not market mythical Dundori where passengers carry luggage in the bus to avoid paying for it? 

The other bottleneck is from Naivasha to Nakuru when trucks join back. What then, is the solution?  

One would be completing roads like the Ngong-Suswa and the Thika-Magumu and Thika-Marua dual carriage.

That would give motorists alternatives. The other solution would be dualling the Nairobi-Kisumu and Nairobi-Malaba routes. Better yet, extend the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and build more airports to complement the roads. What happened to all the airstrips built by the colonialists? 

Roads are visible, and the number of cars using them is countable. Why do we end up with such bottle necks?  Is it deliberate? Engineers solve differential equations, including Navier Stoke’s. Why not design roads for flow? It is simpler. 

Our behaviour smacks immaturity. Why do we overlap? Who is not going somewhere? Must the police control adults? 

A bigger question: Where were we for 11 months and three weeks? We make fun of shags (upcountry) and even look down upon the rural folks. Why does the place suddenly become popular for a few days? 

I know we are stressed economically and want to get out of the city. But that is not a reason to be irrational. Roads like air belong to all of us. Let’s share with respect. Happy holidays my fellow countrymen!