Roads in Nairobi

I have been planning to write a blog over this past year, and all of a sudden, I have finally started, and here I am blogging almost everyday!

In this blog, I want to cover roads in Nairobi. Personally, I am still trying to figure out the huge potholes on roads. I am amazed by how quickly a hole can become deeper and deeper, and on the other hand, how slowly it can be fixed. Driving on these roads is like a game every day, especially during rainy season. There are not many roads in Nairobi when you compare it with other big cities around the world. (Ok, I will try not to make any comparisons. That was my first promise to myself when we moved to Nairobi! ). But the good news is there are some major road constructions going on in the city. Unfortunately, until these constructions are finished (who knows when!), driving is getting crazier every day! The other funny thing is that most roads are one way-- let me take that back-- they are not even one-way because both ways end up in one! Every time it rains, the road narrows down little by little. But you cannot imagine how quickly you can adapt and become animated when driving. My 2-year-old, especially, finds it so much fun that he puts his arms up like he is on a rollercoaster.

Most expats have these big 4x4s, (“bigger is better” is the motto here), so here I am in my little tiny Toyota trying to own my way on these narrow roads! But hey, as long as I stay away from the water filled potholes, I am 'the queen,' since my car can fit anywhere!

Would I recommend 4x4s to other expats?  Probably,' yes ' because most of us are used to driving on huge roads with signs, lights and everything. So probably, a 4x4 would be a better option. From my point of view, being Turkish, it prepares you for these kinds of situations very well, and you adapt pretty quickly (that is a must in today’s world).

I forgot to mention the bumps. Every road has bumps; I have never seen anything like this. But from another point of view, I guess you need these bumps because there are hardly any road signs, lights, etc. By the time you try to go a little faster, you have to slow down to go over one of these bumps. And your car must be high enough to go over these bumps easily (another reason why people choose to drive 4x4s). Some bumps are so high that you feel like you are going to end up like the Flintstones!

Now, let's talk about matatus. I had read so much about them before I moved here. So, whatever you read, that is the truth, nothing less. As far as I know, there is no government-run transportation. Transportation is mostly, maybe not all, run and owned privately. So up until recently, matatus owned and ruled the roads. However, beginning in 2013, the government issued new regulations for matatus, which caused protests all over the city. The good thing is roads are safer now because matatu drivers are checked on frequently by cops.

So, good luck with driving.