Nairobi buses resume but business still low

With calm returning to Kenya, a country whose port handles most exports and imports for the Great Lakes region, several buses have resumed operations.

Thursday, February 28, 2008

With calm returning to Kenya, a country whose port handles most exports and imports for the Great Lakes region, several buses have resumed operations.

Most bus companies in the region had suspended operations after the country was plunged into the 2007 post election violence. This political quagmire left hundreds dead; a lot of property destroyed, business was brought to a near stop as roads and railway line were vandalised.

"Business is picking up. For some weeks Kenya has been calm. People are now willing to travel because the roads are safe,” said Nasser Abdul, a transport officer, Scandinavia Bus Services.

The bus has terminals in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia.  He was however quick to say that bus are restricted to day time operations under police escort.

"Kenya is not completely peaceful,” said David Njenga, a manager at Akamba Bus Services.

The number of passengers traveling to and from Nairobi is still low, said Mohammed Abdulbasiet the general manager Kampala Coaches.
Most passengers currently travel to Kampala, Juba, Kigali from Nairobi.

Ends