Thika, the biggest town in Kiambu County in terms of industrialisation, is a hub of activities any day of the week including weekends.
Due to this, it attracts all forms of transport to ferry people and goods from place to another.
A key landmark of the town that has become associated with it is the ‘tuk tuk’, a three-wheeled vehicle which carries three passengers in the back seat and sometimes one passenger shares the front seat with the driver.
The extra passenger carried on the driver’s seat is, however, an illegality according to the transport rules in Kenya. This is because the driver will have a difficulties negotiating corners as the steering is like that of a motorbike.
Gerald Waweru, a matatu driver ferrying passengers from Thika-Nairobi said the tuk tuk has quickly dominated transport in the town, with the numbers growing to tens of them.
“Women especially love travelling in the tuk tuk because unlike the motor cycle, it is decent and they do not have to spread their legs. The tuk tuk also allows one to carry luggage with ease, and when it rains one gets home dry,” said Mr Waweru.
He also attributed the increase in the number of tuk tuks in town to the many estates surrounding Thika Town making quick and easy transport a necessity.
Mary Wanjiru said, “I always use a tuk tuk because I feel safer. I have identified three tuk tuk drivers whom I call whether at home or out in town to pick me up or my visitors.”