The Kenyan Way of Life

The Kenyan way of life is an intriguing phenomenon to behold. I can’t emphasise enough the laid back manner of Kenyan life. If I arrange to meet a Kenyan at 1pm and they arrive at 2pm, they would see this as being on time and find it perfectly acceptable. It’s a little difficult to adapt to because in the UK if you arrange a meeting for 1pm  it isn't uncommon for all attendees of this meeting to arrive by 12:50pm. This cultural difference regarding time has affectionately become known as “Kenyan time or Mzungu time”- Mzungu being the Swahili word for foreigner/ white person. On more than one occasion our transport has been over one hour late and when questioned, offhandedly met with a reply of “don’t worry”. This breathes new life into the popular Swahili phrase of “hakuna matata”- no worries.

However, the instant any Kenyan steps foot into the driving seat of any transportation vehicle, this mantra is quickly forgotten. For example, the carefree, laid back Kenyan will happily leave for an appointment an hour after they are expected to be there. But the second they start driving, time becomes of the essence. Driving lanes are non-existent although I have it under good authority that all drivers are supposed to drive on the left, even if I haven’t witnessed it often. Cars over and undertake whether incoming cars approach them imminently or not. The mud paths to the side of the roads are commonly used unofficial lanes for dodging traffic from all directions, the speed limit is apparently dependent on the driver in question and their mood at the time and overtaking around a blind corner is common practise. This has resulted in the phrase “pole pole” (slowly, slowly) being ingrained in every Balloon Kenya fellows brain, rather than the seldom used “haraka haraka” (faster, faster). I am still yet to discover why time suddenly becomes so precious to Kenyan’s once they get in a car but one thing I am sure of is this cultural difference being as fascinating as it is terrifying.