Transportation Options in Kisumu

When traveling on the roads in Kisumu, you will come across a number of different forms of transportation.  You, of course, will see a large number of people walking, but if someone need to get somewhere quickly they have a number of options.

Boda Boda (bow-duh):  You will see a ton of bikes on the road and almost all of them are taxis.  There are large padded seats over the back tire so that riders can sit comfortably.  According to one of Agape's managers, bikes were first used to ferry people across the border between Uganda and Kenya, hence the work "boda" or "border."

Piki Piki (picky):  For a little faster (and more expensive) mode of travel, you can take a piki.  These motorcycles have a large "backseat" as well, for a rider's comfortable seating.  Piki's are very unsafe; there is a young man in a coma right now from a piki accident that goes to the church we attended this past Sunday.

Matatu (Muh-tot-two):  Matatus are usually used for longer distance travel.  The drivers customize their matatus with all sorts of names and colors.  I might add "Interesting Matatu Names" to my blog lists.  Drivers pack as many people as possible into the vehicles.  

Tuk Tuk (took):  A tuk tuk looks like a 3-wheeled go-cart, and can carry as many as 3 passengers.  The tuk tuk earned it's name because of the "took-took" sounds the engine makes.  

And when you need to carry a heavier load, you can always pull a trailer.