HAS THE BEHAVIOR BECOME A KENYAN CHARACTER?
I was driving towards work against the heavy jam that had tens of cars attempting to go the opposite direction.
I guess I was doing 40 to 50 K.p.h as I was about to arrive at my destination. Right behind the fifth car of those on the oncoming side of the road, I spotted a large yellow school bus that had been given way and was about to enter the road.
It would certainly come all the way to my side. My immediate reaction was to apply the brakes.
An absent-minded person may have easily interpreted this for emergency brakes. Behind me I heard some light bang.
Placing my eye on the side mirror, I realised that, a bike must have caused the bang. There was hardly any notable impact and so I did not find it warranting any stop.
Also, that the motorcyclist was still on his wheels, told me that all was okay. I drove off after allowing the intruding bus to take my lead.
Hardly had I done 20 metres than I saw the motorcyclist overtaking on my left side. Through my passenger pane that was lowered, he shouted an insult at me.
A little out of my senses, I contemplated swerving to the left and throw him out of the road to teach him a lesson.
In the nick of time my son uttered, “Relax!”
That word brought my senses back.
I let the motorcyclist go and continued venting it out through my son who was well composed.
To this day, I thank God that my son was right beside me and uttered that angelic word. I still recall the event with dread; I would almost certainly have caused death to the motorcyclist.
Of course in my senses, I imagine, he is someone’s husband, or even a father to innocent toddlers.
He is someone’s son too.
How sad it would have been! But again, why did he have to hit me in the back, then come to the side to insult me?
Is this what defines the Kenyan road user?
As a Kenyan driver, one dreads the bestial character of many motorcyclists famously known as bodaboda riders.
It is sad to see such a golden effort towards job creation, being the cause of so many deaths and disabilities. How sad that animosity has been bred between motorcyclists and drivers of own vehicles!
This is in addition to the animosity between these same drivers and matatu drivers!
Needless to say, it is not so well with those that drive heavy trucks.
The government clearly feels this is not a problem of their making and point a finger to the culprits.
The culprits point fingers to the instigators, whenever there is an assault of some kind. None of us is to blame; it is always the other.
How sad is this to a nation, in terms of mental health? The amounts of adrenaline(s) secreted within these road users would certainly amount to many litres each day. The deadly effects of such secretions to our bodies certainly contributes to the increase in ulcers, hypertensive conditions, and many other life-style diseases.
As with many mental cases, the devastations are often noted at old age and by coming generations.
Now that others do not appear to care, do I too desire to remain a victim!
Since I have little but to be on the road each day, I have decided on a few self-care tools:
Wherever possible, I avoid roads during jam hours. I therefore, travel against the jams, prior or after the jam hours.
I also try my best to avoid work-ahead roads and do not mind taking longer routes.
I do my best to start my journeys earlier than the expected times to avoid lateness. If that is not possible and I find myself in a jam, I ensure that I call my expectant clients and inform them of my possible lateness. I also do my best to have positive self-talk: if the lateness is due to me, I take charge and let myself learn a lesson, as I constantly remind myself of the lesson learnt.
If it is not of my cause, I lead the self-talk towards the cause and do my best to get the blame off myself.
Work towards road rage, it is madness per excellence. If not checked, soon a heavy price shall be paid, by no other but YOU!
