A number of Kenyans living in Nairobi and surrounding towns are already making early travel plans as August 9 elections near.Most are keen to avoid getting caught up in the last minute rush for buses heading to their home counties at a time when many will be looking to travel. Kenya Gossip Club has learned that some residents of Nairobi are already making preparations; dropping enquiries and booking buses early.
Moses Okeyo who is currently in Nairobi, and will be voting for the first time on August 9, had intended to travel to the village in Western parts of Kenya on July 29, but was shocked to find the date fully booked.”Most people have already secured the early dates, running from late July and into August. I was forced to change my travel date from July 29 to July 27,” Okeyo told us after placing a booking on June 13.”I was told by an attendant of that particular bus company that many people had already made bookings running from July 28 to around August 8,” he added.
Fred Otieno, a travel officer from Easy Coach Bus Services in Migori station, told us on phone that they had not registered high numbers just yet, but the situation could change in the next few days.”The numbers will certainly go up towards the end of July and early August, but currently we have not really recorded an influx of visitors booking to travel in advance,” he said.The high transport charges and vehicle shortage could be one of the major reasons why some people want to get to their home counties early.
“I have already applied for my annual leave, which I made sure coincides with the elections period, and I will be travelling home a week to election,” Stephen Oluoch who lives in Nairobi told us.”I know one can get a shuttle even on the eve of election, but the charges are likely to be prohibitive to most Kenyans who cannot afford. That also explains the reason why many people will be travelling early,” added Oluoch.
Maryanne Kwamboka on her part recounted how she nearly spent a night at the Machakos Bus station on the eve of the last election.”This time around I will be home by August 1, because I don’t want to miss an opportunity to vote this year round,” she said.Although Nairobi is home to over 4 million people, a majority still troop back to the village every five years to vote, and this year will most likely not be different.
Questions have been raised as to why some residents of Nairobi would rush to vote in the village, yet they live in the capital most their lives, and enjoy the amenities.Of course many have varied reasons, but for Okeyo, he is still new in the capital, and does not know some of the candidates who are running in Nairobi.
