Kenya - Reflection

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Another objective achieved, crossing Kenya's northern territory. The scenery, wildlife and tribal people had been stunning and actually the whole journey had not been as barren or bare as people had suggested. The roads too were in a reasonable condition; we didn't get stuck in mud nor to my knowledge did the bedrock road fracture the vehicle's chassis. The driver lives in Moyale and said he would be heading south again the next day; for him travelling this route was his daily job.

Other travellers may be interested to know that the lorry drivers prefer the alternative route via Wajir and Garissa, though longer the road is in better condition and so faster. It seems that its closer proximity to the Somali border is not thought to be dangerous. However the road is more sandy (or has sandy sections) which makes it unusable in the rainy season. Then, for road conditions alone the lorry drivers switch to the Marsabit route. The prospect of banditry seems to have greatly reduced. I suspect the key to this is the change of President in Kenya whose popularity has overturned the acceptability of corruption particularly within the security forces. He has also succumbed to international pressure to "suppress" Muslim backed terrorism. In any case I suspect banditry by its nature has never been attributable to a single cause or organisation. There have always been cross border skirmishes from the Ethiopians and Somalis. Local tribes at various times have acquired arms to protect their cattle. Police and Army have presumably been under-resourced or sufficiently involved to let it happen. Times have changed now, hopefully for good.

The rain had just stopped and the wet road was shinning in the sunlight. I walked down the hill to the border control; I suspect with a spring in my step.


Kenya - Reflection

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