Bus firms hit rocky road as Covid restrictions bite
Wednesday July 28 2021
By ANTHONY KITIMO
Summary
The night travel ban, restrictions to carry half capacity to allow social distance, and stiff competition from the SGR have driven many bus companies offroad.
According to Inter County Bus Owners Association chairperson Abubakari Twalib, more than half of the 41 registered bus companies under his lobby have suspended their operations.
The restrictions imposed to curb the spread of Covid-19 since March last year have adversely affected passenger bus industry, forcing a majority to ground vehicles while others are shifting to nearby countries.
The night travel ban, restrictions to carry half capacity to allow social distance, and stiff competition from the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) have driven many bus companies offroad.
In Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi, it is estimated that over 70% of the population live in informal settlements. Many of these have a history rooted in colonial policies whereby the “African native” was a temporary resident of the city. Africans could only live in the city as registered labourers.
As these informal settlements grew over the years, their names – and the names of places within them – have grown to encapsulate their history.
Africans were forced to live in dormitory-like working quarters. In spite of these restrictions some still found their way from their rural homes into the city. However, with their illegitimate status, they could only construct shanties (crudely built shacks) on unused land.
9 May 2021, 5:45 PM | The Conversation | @SABCNews
Image: Creative CommonsBetween 1963 and 1979, the population of Nairobi grew from 342 000 to 827 000 people.
In Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi, it is estimated that over 70% of the population live in informal settlements. Many of these have a history rooted in colonial policies whereby the “African native” was a temporary resident of the city. Africans could only live in the city as registered labourers.
As these informal settlements grew over the years, their names – and the names of places within them – have grown to encapsulate their history.
Africans were forced to live in dormitory-like working quarters. In spite of these restrictions some still found their way from their rural homes into the city. However, with their illegitimate status, they could only construct shanties (crudely built shacks) on unused land.