Nairobi residents walking to work/FILE
Walking is the predominant mode of transport to work for most Kenyans, a new study by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics shows.
The study shows that the majority of Kenyans (72.7 per cent) walk to their places of work, with rural areas recording the highest percentage (82.5 per cent) compared to urban areas (53.4 per cent).
“Public transport (matatu/PSV/bus) was more common in urban areas (26.7 per cent) compared to rural areas (4.9 per cent),” the study said.
The survey added that the use of bodabodas (bicycles and motorbikes) was popular in both rural and urban areas at 10.4 per cent and 10.9 per cent, respectively.
“Private cars were more commonly used in urban areas at 6.0 per cent and 1.4 per cent in rural areas,” the study added.
Government records show that as of 2023, approximately 21 million Kenyans were actively participating in the labour force, encompassing both formal wage employees and those engaged in informal subsistence activities like farming.
Among the workforce, only two per cent commute by car. The Economic Survey 2024 further delineates the labour force, recording 3.1 million wage employees alongside 16.7 million individuals working in the informal sector.
Alternative modes of transportation, such as tuktuks, taxis,
and water vessels, maintain a minimal presence in commuting patterns.
Specifically, tuktuks are used by 0.7 percent of the workforce, taxis by 0.2 percent, and water vessels or school buses by 0.1 percent.
The majority of economic and social activities in the country take place in urban areas, and residents must commute to these places to participate. This is where matatus comes in.
Documents show Kenya’s transport sector accounts for 8.3 per cent of the total Gross Domestic Product.
The public transport system is privately operated, with the road transport network served by matatus, taxis (traditional and ridehailing services), bodabodas, and tuk tuks (three-wheelers).
The road subsector accounts for over 80 per cent of traffic of goods and people.
