The incredible journey of Nakuru's transport sector
Vehicles wait for passengers at the main stage in Nakuru city centre.
The Old Nakuru Bus Terminus according to senior resident John Githanga, was established in the post-independence time as a stop-over for buses such as OTC, Ngwareini and Kangema Bus Service.
Githanga recalls how the buses used to take long for one to travel to Nairobi as there were several stop-overs from Nakuru to Nairobi.
Situated between Top Market and Nasher Market, the Old Nakuru Bus Terminus has a nostalgic history in the transport sector having been a harbour for the long distances buses.
However, in an interview with Mtaa Wangu, Githanga adds that the buses were only allowed to use the terminus as a stop over to pick-up passengers.
“This was the place to book your long distance bus during the old days in Nakuru,” he says.
David Kuria- a stakeholder in the Transport sector recalls the old buses, taxis and Peugeot 404 and Peugeot 505 commonly referred to as ‘Kanyoni’ that were the image of the terminus.
David Kuria (left) a stakeholder in the transport business.
At one particular time around 1986, KANU youth wingers took over the management of the Bus terminus where every vehicle would pay them extra Sh20 which according to Kuria was double taxation since they were already paying to the defunct municipal council.
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According to him, the old terminus is currently accommodating more than 30 different long distance PSVs and a few town service vehicles.
Currently, every vehicle is charged a levy of Sh 2,000 monthly at the bus terminus with another Sh 40,000 per year for owners of booking offices.
Having operated at the terminus for a longer period, Kuria points out that with an increased number of unemployed youth it becomes difficult to control the situation at the stage in what he terms it has become ‘soko huru’.
“We have these youths we refer to as ‘Kamagera’ (Those who have no vehicles but they go after passengers so that they can get some coins) and they are the main challenge in this terminus as some are not trustworthy and might run away with passenger’s belonging,” says Kuria.
An arial view of the bus station in Nakuru city centre where the old bus terminus used to be.
He also cites alcohol and wines and spirits joints as another challenge that faces the old Nakuru bus terminus, an issue he says the security apparatus should act on.
Late last year, Principal Secretary for Housing and Urban Development Charles Hinga, joined Governor Susan Kihika in breaking the grounds for a Sh280 million new bus park in Kisulisuli estate.
The first phase of this terminus will cost Sh 280 million with parking bays for at least 355 vehicles.
Though the ground breaking took place, Mtaa Wangu has established that there is little going on with the contractor assigned having enclosed the area with iron sheets.
When Mtaa Wangu contacted the county Government over the current status of the Kisulisuli Bus Park, we were referred to the Chief Officer Lands, Housing and Urban Planning Mr. Kamau Kuria who by the time of publishing this article had not responded to our calls nor short messages.