Land of Opportunities
“But everybody liveth has one place where he was born; and for mine is Kenya, so warm and wild and free; you’ll always stay with me here in my heart; … My land is Kenya right from your highlands to the sea…” These amazing lyrics from the song “My land is Kenya” by Roger Whittaker filled the airspace when traversing the land of Turkana. The song perhaps resonates well with the people of Turkana for having nowhere else to call home.
Filled with beautiful scenery as we passed through West Pokot County, the great view of Cherangany Hills brings out the feel of a journey full of optimism and opportunities. Entering Kainuk town in Turkana County we are ushered in in style with camels carefully finding their way off the main road. When we stop to take pictures I am left wondering if the camels in Turkana are a source of livelihood or are they their mode of transport as they cover the long distances across the Turkana desert.
Dr Francis Bii after having a ride
Well, when I got to see a lot of motorcycles in Lodwar town I am impressed. You see in Kenya at the moment Motorcycle business is popularly known as “Boda Boda” is a thriving business among many youths in the country. With the previous notion of Turkana County only depending on well-wishers; getting to see many young people in Lodwar town being owners or perhaps riding motorcycles brings hope of land filled with opportunities for the Turkana people.
Motorcycles in Turkana, are not only used to transport people from one place to the other but being used to fetch water doubles as the main role of motorcycles in Turkana. When I talked to one bodaboda rider in Lodwar town he confessed that despite having a source of livelihood thanks to the good roads in the area, the remote parts covered in the sand often bring challenges to the rather thriving trade. According to the gentleman, the main challenge they faced as investors in the business is the fact that the Turkana community is used to walking for long distances thus rendering most riders will little money to go home with at the end of the day.
Motorcycle being used to transport water
However, at Nakwei village in Turkana, motorcycles being used to fetch water for members of the community is a thriving business that not only fetches money, but the community gets to access water which is a limited resource in the area.
Thanks to motorcycle innovation, Turkana is a thriving county thanks to immense business opportunities that young people benefit from ranging from the selling of spare parts, enabling the transportation of people and goods away from the scorching sun.
