By: John S. Morlu II, CPA
At exactly 5:00 PM in Nairobi, something magical — and slightly chaotic — happens.
It’s as if the city collectively transforms into a giant marathon. People pour into the streets. Not jogging. Not sightseeing. But walking — with purpose, with speed, and with mystery.
The Nairobi Shuffle:
Thousands of people — in suits, uniforms, sandals, and school shoes — hit the sidewalks. There are no official maps or walking lanes. Just pure instinct and foot traffic coordination that rivals birds in migration. Some say if Google mapped Nairobi foot traffic, it would crash.
Fun Fact: Nairobi is one of the few cities where walking 10 kilometers home is considered both normal and a money-saving life skill. No gym membership needed. Just vibes and aching heels. Fitbit should really start paying royalties here.
🎒 Tidbit: You’ll see professionals carrying laptops, students with backpacks, and folks balancing groceries, babies, roasted maize, three watermelons, and dreams — all moving in synchronized chaos like a flash mob with no music.
Why the Walking?
- Traffic jams in Nairobi are their own ecosystem. A 5 km ride can take longer than a full Lord of the Rings movie — extended edition.
- Matatus (minibuses) fill up fast, and surge pricing during rush hour? Let’s just say your wallet cries before you do.
- And let’s not forget: walking is free — which fits perfectly with many end-of-month bank account balances. Nairobians invented “broke cardio.”
😅 Satirical Truth: Nairobians can walk across an entire county just to avoid paying KES 50 for fare. It’s part pride, part poverty, part pre-World Cup conditioning.
🚦Observation: Watch how effortlessly people dodge boda bodas, street hawkers, potholes, and suspiciously unhinged manholes. It’s like a video game — except the final boss is a rogue umbrella vendor blocking the path.
Street Soundtrack:
Expect to hear gospel music from stalls, salesmen yelling “Karibu!” and the occasional “Madam! Madam! Acha ni kusaidie!” (Let me help you!) followed by a power negotiation over tissues, flashlights, and mystery herbal juice.
📊 Statistic: According to local estimates, more than 2 million Nairobians walk to and from work or school daily. That’s not a commute — that’s a cardio plan with no subscription fee. Who needs Peloton when you’ve got Uhuru Highway?
🚨 Real-Life Hack: Want to know someone’s real income bracket? Watch whether they walk past the matatu stand or get inside. That’s Nairobi’s unofficial credit score.
🍲 Reward: If you make it home by 7PM, you’ve earned your ugali, sukuma wiki, and a nap that feels like a personal victory. Bonus points if you still have phone battery left.
🕺🏾 Bonus Scene: The only time Nairobians move faster than 5PM foot traffic? When someone yells “Kanjo!” (City council) or there’s free WiFi detected on Moi Avenue.
Nairobi at 5PM is not for the faint of feet. But it’s a walking miracle — a testament to endurance, determination, and the unbeatable hustle spirit. One city. One million steps. And a whole lot of sore legs.
Next up in Chapter Thirty:
“Kenya – The Cultural Melting Pot of East Africa.”
About the Author
John is an entrepreneur, strategist, and founder of JS Morlu, LLC, a Virginia based CPA firm with multiple software ventures including www.FinovatePro.com, www.Recksoft.com and www.Fixaars.com . With operations spanning multiple countries, John is on a mission to build global infrastructure that empowers small businesses, entrepreneurs, and professionals to thrive in an increasingly competitive world. He believes in hard truths, smart execution, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. When he’s not writing or building, he’s challenging someone to a productivity contest—or inventing software that automates it.