The busstop today

The temperature tab on my phone indicates that Nairobi is currently experiencing highs of 24 and lows of 16 degrees Celsius. It is another bright and warm day in the capital city of Kenya.  As I walk to board a matatu to my office, I look around in amazement at the mess that lies before me.

On my extreme left is earth moving equipment left in a rather untidy heap awaiting the foremen who will be using it later in the day. Right next to that is a pile of rubbish, maize stalks and cobs left over from the road seller who trades his wares, that is roasted maize, to the rush hour throng of people walking home. The dust on this road makes it hard to breathe and I silently curse praying to God that the ongoing road repairs may end sooner rather than later.

On my near left, I see the neighbours gardener standing on his ladder tending to the fence that borders our properties. He is wearing a red casual shirt and blue clown like trousers. He barely pays any attention to me as he sways in time to the music he’s listening to on headphones. It’s about time that bougainvillea fence was trimmed!

Right in front of me is the taxi terminus and I spy Charles my regular cab driver chatting to a few of his colleagues who are parked next to him. His B12 Nissan Sunny gleams in the sun and I can tell it’s just been washed and waxed. A quick wave to acknowledge him and it’s on I go. I pass all sorts of people. There’s the group of Europeans clad in summer gear, shorts, vests and sunglasses who appear to be taking a stroll headed to Westlands.

Then there are few working class ladies dressed similarly to me, ladies suit and sensible walking shoes who could be headed to work. Finally there are the men clad in work clothes who seem to be the workmen building the road.

I approach the junction and I see the Chase Bank and Prime Bank security guards in a heated debate. They wave their clubs around excitedly and I can only guess the subject is Kenya’s never ending dramatic political scene. A sleek Mercedes pulls up to the gate and the guards demeanor changes as they stand at attention and assume the salute position  before opening the imposing gate and ushering the driver in.