Daniel Wekesa, an electrician working in Wajir, travelled by boda boda to Garissa to reunite with his wife and children, braving heat, dust and rough road sections along the way.
Wekesa left Wajir at 11:09 a.m. East Africa Time and arrived in Garissa at 5:20 p.m., travelling between the headquarters of two of northeastern Kenya’s largest counties.
Hussein Haji, chairman of the Garissa Boda Boda Association, encountered Wekesa at a car wash along Kismayo Road in Garissa.
“He is a trailblazer,” Haji said.
Wekesa said the journey was faster than travelling by most public service vehicles operating along the route. His experience also highlighted the importance of road infrastructure in connecting communities across northeastern Kenya.
“Improved transport links are important for travel, trade and access to services,” he told RTG Digital.
Wekesa said the partially tarmacked Garissa-Wajir road had helped ease the journey, providing a smoother surface along about half the route. The untarmacked sections, however, presented challenges for motorcycle riders because of dust, loose gravel and uneven surfaces.
The route passes through dry landscapes dotted with acacia trees, scattered settlements and pastoral communities, where camels, goats and sheep are a familiar sight.
Wekesa said the intense heat, dust and long stretches of open countryside made motorcycle travel physically demanding, requiring caution along rough sections of the road.
“The heat and dust made the journey challenging, particularly along the rough sections,” he said.
He said staying hydrated, maintaining concentration and adapting to changing road conditions were important throughout the journey.
Despite the challenges, Wekesa continued towards Garissa, where his wife and children awaited him.
