A Kenyan Road| Windows Seat by Benjamin Branoff

Drawing illustrations from Window Seat by Benjamin Branoff, show the truthfulness in the observation that “Travelers are sometimes subjected to pathetic travelling conditions on most of the Kenyan roads.”

Introduction

Candidates should show the difficulties associated with public transport

Points of Interpretation

i) It is uncomfortable to use public means of transport on Kenyan roads as one is exposed to uncouth conditions such as Air/noise pollution….endless dirt drifts through the window ….it finds crevices on my body… and sneaks into the stitching of my clothes (pg63/65)

Air pollution seen when he says …the rancid smell from the burning garbage oozing into the vehicle from nearby rots. (pg 65). Noise pollution… when they reach the bus stop, they are exposed to the smelling bodies of the passengers.

 ii) The roads are unworthy hence they are in pathetic conditions. The narrator says he is uncomfortable in the vehicle he is travelling in sitting at the window seat. This does not help as his head knocks on rusty ceiling many times.

 iii) They are sometimes pick pocketed by pretty thieves. There are many people who engage in pretty stealing, pick pocketing like the Kanga woman who pretends to be an innocent traveler but ends up stealing from the Mzungu. He is left without money to pay for his fare.

 iv) The roads are poorly maintained…while travelling the narrator says : The black asphalt is a slick and old and wise and grabs the dirty grass with confidence.

 v) The indifferent police officers that are bribed yet the vehicle is full. At Chou, there is a sentry guard who although stops the overloaded vehicle does not make any effort to correct it…he was bribed but smiles instead.

 Conclusion

Using public transport can be frustrating sometimes.