Nairobi, also known as ‘City Under the Sun’, is infamous for its heavy traffic, especially on routes leading to the Central Business District (CBD).
Among the many roads converging in the city centre, the Thika Superhighway stands out as the most burdened and culminates at the Globe Cinema Roundabout.
For those in the transport industry, time spent in traffic equates to financial losses. This is especially true for matatus, which rely on quick turnarounds to stay profitable. To manage Nairobi’s heavy traffic, a unique and demanding role has emerged within the matatu and transport sector.
In an interview with YouTuber Sophy Juma, a man named Eriko shared insights into his daily work as an unofficial traffic marshal. On the streets, he is known as ‘Eriko was Rada’ and his job involves redirecting vehicles headed into Nairobi to avoid heavy traffic jams. Unlike formal traffic officers, Eriko assists matatus, private cars, and lorries.
His unconventional approach to managing traffic flow mostly requires him to keep on his toes checking the traffic all around Globe Roundabout and its surrounding areas.
“Vehicles coming into the CBD using Thika Road, call me at Pangani or the Muthaiga area to find out about the traffic situation,” Eriko stated.
His path into this line of work wasn’t straightforward. After being jobless for about two months, he began directing traffic in Ruaka before moving to Roysambu. Over time, he grew his craft and eventually made his way to Nairobi CBD.
Eriko’s job description entails advising drivers on traffic flow and directing vehicles. He shared that he receives hundreds of calls daily, all of which require quick responses. Furthermore, he noted that drivers cannot rely on Google Maps for real-time updates like the ones he provides.
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Matatus pay Sh. 50 for his services while the larger Public Service Vehicles have to part with Sh. 100. Eriko works with 3 counterparts in relaying traffic information to the drivers. He maintained that despite the physically demanding nature of the job, the financial rewards are more than satisfying.
“I cannot be employed. You can get all you want in the streets if you are hardworking. Few white-collar employees earn as much as we do,” he stated.
Like any job, Eriko’s comes with its challenges. He revealed to the YouTuber that one of the difficulties is dealing with Nairobi City traffic marshals, who regulate traffic along Tom Mboya Street and Khoja Stage.
Another challenge Eriko and his crew face is passengers in vehicles who sometimes think they are thieves. This is because their work involves looking out for routes around the Globe Roundabout from high spots.
