THE FALL THAT KILLED A CITY: How the death of Kenya Bus Service brought forth disorder in Nairobi.

How powerful people brought down the once organised city transport system and the mess that followed.
Enock Sikolia reports.

[@daisyamdany6817]

We grew up using Kenya Bus services that ran on a schedule. There were timetables at the bus stop where you knew when the bus would come and what time it was leaving. There were season cards and you paid up front for a specific route. They were so orderly. We also witnessed KBS's collapse 😞

[@bellaolum9768]

I miss those times, we had bus passes for students where we paid half the price.

[@Mr.Stingy]

I lived and worked in Nairobi 10 years ago for a period of 4years before I moved abroad. I don’t like Nairobi anymore. I literally avoid this city it’s hectic to move around in Nairobi. Something has to be done to bring sanity to this great city. Kenya needs better let’s face the truth.

[@edithmwaura6286]

It is very congested.

[@ShastaLevi]

Have never left Kenya but being an urban planning enthusiast n seeing how other places are well organized l hate this big bus terminus called Nairobi CBD.

[@Kenyan_Duke]

but it's the city that opened doors for you to move yonder,,

[@emmanuelsenter8187]

I NEVER NEW THAT ENOCK ,THANKS FOR THE INSIGHT

[@jsnmaina]

4:02 poetry in motion! Your documentaries always have a nice touch. Thank you for informing and educating us about Kenyan history.

[@kephazowaga636]

Born and brought up in Ziwani estate my dad used to work with the Kbs as a supervisor kudos this company was lool during Christmas all the children whose parents were working with the company could enjoy the ride waaaaaaaaah those memories can make someone cry

[@NerDII254]

My da was a driver

[@jeremiahnganda6146]

Kumbe tuko wengi. My dad too was a driver.​@NerDII254

[@masterseedinv]

My late Dad worked for KBS, since 1964. Kenya Bus was a Joint venture owned by City Council and OTC…Overland trading Company which also owned East African Road Services…(OTC). Up to 1978/9 KBS was effective and leader in transportation but it marked the begining of Moi leadership . Roads and infrustructure were neglected and within 10 years it became untenable in maintenance and Running costs. Kbs had a 50 years lease which lapsed in 1999. It was taken over by Late Kabage and George thuo who watched its demise in 2004/5

[@jondinda3700]

Sad 😢

[@queenbee1588]

I love your grasp of kenya's city transport history. We used to say OTC means onyango twende choo.

[@majokleek7502]

000000000000000000000000000000000000000

[@evansouma9596]

merge this history with the emergence of city hopper.

[@aishasusan1550]

My dad too was a driver may they continue resting in peace

[@khadijaali2476]

Excellent documentary work! Really enjoy the personal stories and the vintage videos as well keep it up!

[@Nelcn]

Oh wow... Watching this has taken me way back to my childhood! It was so effecient I remember taking a bus from Nairobi west that would go to huruma to where school was at #MFA.... Imagine that, and I was only 12 in class 6. Looking back, there was some sense of security as I took this route many times alone. Now is a different story all together. Watching this old clips has been amazing TBH.

[@queenbee1588]

Buses would cover very long distances. 4w from Eastleigh to KNH then to riruta satellite and back, 23 from Jerusalem, Outering, town, KNH all the way to kangemi. Good old days

[@bantuvoicemuchaik.k.7715]

Good old days....1993...as a child commuting to school today I would pay 50cents to town

[@JenipherCyberSecurity]

This is an excellent production. We need more of these. Local content, professionally done.

[@mansoormannix1753]

Old good days replaced by chaotic modern day operation. The OTC, AKAMBA, NBU, MALAIKA COACH, MALINDI BUS, GAREX, MAWINGO all of those giant succumb due to Government lack of seriousness in combating corruption, the company then faced sabotage from its own staffs, allowed buses to excess passengers against company policies and insurance recommendations.

[@juniourmasika460]

Why are poeple not giving this video thumps up ,I was raised during kbs the memories are still fresh efficient transport system ..looks like many were born after the chaos started and looks like it is the norm

[@georgegg1079]

I decided to move out of Nairobi. Enough was Enough

[@SuperXdomain]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣👍🏾👍🏾 umenimaliza kwa leo

[@bvmokaya]

The quality of production is amazingly good, even before we get to the story. Absolutely love this channel.

[@duncannjenga3700]

how can you tell me of traffic while mat inabeba watu 33 ama 25 you want them out while personal cars carrying one person ibaki labda kama hamkufanya hesabu ya class two

[@queenbee1588]

You're very right. I guess solution will be to increase parking charges for private cars

[@ngesajeremiah6255]

Sir, this is a great job!

[@ElvisNyakado]

I remember KBS with nostalgia.I used to ply Upper Hill to Eastleigh.I am a former student of Upper Hill Sch.Born and bred in Nairobi.Awesome documentary watching from Dubai UAE 🇦🇪🇰🇪🖤

[@ulrich2819]

It’s unbelievable how chaotic Nairobi is, both human and car traffic! Watching this is so mentally draining I can’t imagine how it is living here, and how is it in other smaller cities? Undoing this mess will be even costly because a majority’s conveniency and way of life is directly connected, invested and dependent on it. Unlike the mobile phone tech, there’s no leapfrogging when it comes to urban planning, you either get it right from the go or it’s a complete mess. Kenya needs to start transitioning into a newly planned and controlled capital city, Tanzania did it, Egypt is currently building one and even German changed from Bonn to Berlin.

[@eddykish2475]

womderful reporting and production.

[@amadine770]

The initial buses were branded in green stripes running across a yellow body initially owned by the United Transport Company which ran three companies KBS(Nairobi and Mombasa),UTC (the tour operation arm with offices at the current parking silo block opposite City Hall annex) and OTC formerly East Africa Road Services with offices where Equity and Quickmart stand opposite OLA service station is currently located (it ran operations across East Africa).The company would later change hands when Stage Coach bought shares owned by United Transport Company-the demise of KBS goes back to the early seventies-NATCO(Nakuru Transport Company) an indigenous start up would try its hand to rival KBS operations but with their matatu mentality (they owned some buses) failed miserably-Nyayo Buses with its state backing did no better -however the nineties would spell doom for KBS and the Late Michuki rules sounded the death knell-it must be remembered that KBS was allowed to have standing passengers-about at most 54 seated and twenty to thirty at best standing.This company despite owning 12-13 metre buses caused no traffic jams as Mr.Mukhabana has stated but the new entrants would not leave Hilton or Ambassadeur Stops until every seat was occupied and the same would be replicated around GPO Stop and outside St Peter Clavers,Khalsa and OTC stages hence the traffic chaos within the Nairobi-CBD.The Central Bus Station split in two was to be used by City Outbound buses and Matatu.

[@kymkkm1078]

This is an interesting piece.I was born and raised in Nairobi . In fact the term used in the 70's in reference to KBS was "Muthifari"(Muthibari), meaning MUNICIPAL, because the city council had a stake in the company. They had a schedule. When, I joined form 1 in 1982, I used them alot. As students we even had " Bus passes" that allowed us to pay half the fare.We paid 1/=.These buses would even operate in routes that were not really profitable.I remember Harambee estate had such because the population could not sustain such a service. Much later , stagecoach acquired KBS. You could do well to talk to Ann Gloag,owner of the Jonathan Gloag school for more information. Then there was the mismanagement bit and how Stagecoach related to other companies.If General Motors is candid they should be able to tell you about their ISUZU buses acquired by Stagecoach that operated to Western Kenya ,you should be able to dig a bit of dirt. You could learn a thing or two about its former managers as well......It is not just competition that brought Stagecoach under, but also the mismanagement......and by the way, Stagecoach still operates in Britain.

[@HapaTexas]

Excellent piece. KBS operated on schedule. They even had their schedules published. My bus to school stopped at our stage at 0710 am. Great memories

[@Ziwi7]

Am lucky to have ever rode in this things a number of times in the early 2000s with my parents living in kangemi. Our parents preferred them as they were cheap. We wanted the boom boom filled matatus. Now in my late 20s I say it was a good experience. Memories

[@japes2912]

The roads were also an issue. Stagecoach maintenance costs increased due to the poor quality of roads. At one time, they were changing the air shocks on their 🚌 in a daily basis

[@veronicahwakamu3723]

Good work my primary schoolmate Enock Sikolia.

[@abundancechurchinternational]

Brilliant documentary and the footage was something else. Congratulations on the level of professionalism.

[@swalehelshabiby5915]

I also used KBS in Mombasa when i was in school double deck bus was fantastic.

[@wilsonmburu9763]

Love your work good job very informative channel.

[@angelanyambura2843]

Poor governance, privatisation of transport, lack of urban development planning, centralisation of most businesses and government services. Terrible place to be.

[@richardgaya3965]

Can't agree more... right on POINT!!

[@nuffsedworldentertainment]

This is one of the best you tube Kenyan stories I have seen .Good work!!

[@AlphonsoFit]

Always the best documentaries here

[@Jahmhury]

Great Story. Great Editing.

[@kevinmrunde3614]

Fantastic documentary!!! Reminds me I finished my entire 8 year Primary School in the 90s at Khalsa Racecourse just adjacent to the city's main terminus. All my transit was by KBS & NYAYO buses. I used a megarider at one point and also paid 4 - 5 Ksh from Community. To see the shambolic state of our public transport system is sad indeed. To Gen Z you have no clue...

[@Nelcn]

Aaahh the mega rider. I had one of these at one time.

[@wesleywagumba812]

😂😂I'm Gen Z,it's like you're speaking Chinese

[@mlkjnr2016]

Reminds of Stagecoach buses in the 90s

[@lawrencekahiga517]

ARCHIVES AVAILABLE AT KENYA NATIONAL LIBRARY.

[@moseslutali6035]

The perfect illustration

[@john_kamau]

Please do a video on growth of Nairobi city🙏🙏

[@kymkkm1078]

This will be interesting.We have good memories to share....

[@Muthamax1]

This is exclusive footage...of KBS never seen before ....Keep it up

[@john_kamau]

Very eloquent

[@brianlimo5528]

Great content here from home Kenya

[@dianawangechi101]

Am loving your focus on vital issues

[@inasamaale2852]

Meaning it was more modern then than now, here in diaspora in developed countries that kbs system is the one avilable. And this roundabouts in nairobi is another course of jam no signals are working no marks on the roads intersm of transportation nairobi is very much behind

[@Peter-sy2ks]

I wish to use sikolia AKA Kenyan historian as a resource personnel in my history class You're great articulation of content and nostalgic documentary is of another level Great work 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@hanningtonemwagodi5559]

This is very nicely done. Thank you @NicKanali

[@waruekariuki9253]

Thanks for reminding us of this service.

[@joelaluoch2553]

A wonderful piece of history. One solution, is to decongest the city.

[@ck-vlogs-Africa]

As we slipped back Dar has picked up. This is a good analysis kindly do another comparison with the Dar BRT system. The Tanzanians have mastered where we have failed.

[@abishagikairu1763]

The KBS transport services was excellent. Traveling in the bus without noise(loud music, good customer care by the drivers and conductors etc), the Megarider advance ticket was in another level. Nairobi CBD was very organized and quiet - no calling customers and bus timetable for different routes was excellent. God have mercy on Kenya.

[@avbless5846]

Kazi safi!👏🏾👏🏾 funzo la historia🇰🇪💙. It's sad that unfair competition ruined our city's transport systems (no matatu licence, unscheduling, no structure) ni kama hivi ndivyo walitaka walipo ongea na Mzee kwa boma yake....sasa iliharibu legacy poa aliyokuwa akijenga. Bali na sali with the right people mazuri yanakuja

[@kiptookomen4127]

Management and Discipline is Everything in transport business. 🤔

[@Leonmuigz]

Nairobi was once a glorious city in the 60/70's but now it's chaotic, dirty and congested.

[@TheCos112]

If not for kbs I wouldn't hv known nai I remember during public holidays ilikuanga free during the time of moi

[@TheCaneSlingerCherryflexrattan]

Celebrating exemplary order and stability during the Kenya Bus Service organization that seamlessly facilitated our journey. A testament to the seamless integration of strategy and dedication. #ProfessionalJourney #TransitExcellence #KenyaBusService

[@felixkatua1258]

Nice documentary 👍👍

[@dhakomodherooherokoko6037]

The KBS were quite available

[@darongardner4294]

You need a nationalised bus service funded in partnership by government .Profits would be put back in to the bus service reducing the need for cars.Bicyle use should be encouraged as this means roads could be used to carry more people.

[@browncapri1996]

If Nairobi wants to be successful in overcoming traffic jams, learn from the city of Jakarta (Indonesia) in the past they were famous for severe traffic jams in all directions in the capital city, but after the implementation of the odd and even number system on vehicle number plates, it is permissible to use and not to use it. The congestion can be resolved plus there are several alternative public vehicles available such as electric bus has their own Busway, MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) subway, LRT (Light Rail Transit) above the highway, Grab online transport, Gojek online (motorcycle) and also urban electric intercity rail. However, despite the availability of various public transportation, the level of congestion in Jakarta still occurs, especially during office hours.

[@SuperXdomain]

Just put 24hrs work systems in the many government offices. Hii shida itaisha.

[@beirut9750]

Hell broke loose after cityhoppa and bodaboda came to CBD.Boda boda are not allowed to operate inside city center.the late president Moi tried a lot on our transport system.i would travel from kayole to mbagathi hospital without alighting

[@queenbee1588]

You're very right. Those buses covered great distances at low cost

[@collookudo7943]

im one of KBS FAN RIGHT FROM THE EARLY 80S days of 'mkat'e

[@winniew6742]

Waah those big buses. I remember they had time. Ukifika late zimeenda. Sikuizi ni freestyle, anytime- anywhere.

[@BensonNyasae]

This is not only about the city's transportation system. Its more of lack of proper planning (If there is any at all).

[@kevinmuteheli]

Politicians! Alot can be said, documentaries, etc.. but politicians caused the chaos, simple.

[@reubenkamau7070]

Hope Sakaja is watching.

[@ShastaLevi]

This is something the young generation won't understand. Infact most of them this chaos is cool, an identity as they call it.

[@ericonchangu7830]

It's called free market economy

[@ketchmain]

Such great video quality. Loved it

[@simonnzioki3261]

IMF SAPs really brought Kenya to it's knees,

[@richardgaya3965]

In our stupidity avarice and greed we destroyed an institution a gem in our national crown

[@ishotthesheriff5686]

Oh my. Great memories. We lived in Eastleigh directly across the KBS main terminal where all the buses closed for the night.. Wow. Things were easy and great back then...Now its just messy.

[@munenemati5670]

Growing up, I remember route no. 23 which would start at Outering estate in eastlands and terminate at Kangemi in Westlands! Orderly and scheduled. Miss those days

[@charleswanyonyi74]

beautiful

[@musicmikeish]

Great content. Keep up

[@kiptookomen4127]

The birth of Cartels in KENYA!! 🤔

[@lvseka]

As long as we talk about parking our cars, we won't make any progress with congestion

[@zablonmusyoka5671]

This is magnificent

[@GathigoAndrew]

That intro music is fire!

[@dylankanyubi3700]

Ninakumbuka late 80's and 90's nilikuwa nikichukua basi kutoka Kencom hadi community. Mabasi yalikuwa mengi sana kama 7,8,33,34,36,37,56. Hizi zote zulikuwa zikipita Community. Ahh kisengerenyuma, mabasi yalikuwa yakipanda mlima huo wa Community.

[@reginaldkenneth33]

Truly miss them

[@franmdleleni6520]

Oh I remember those KBS buses in the late 80s early 90s. When visiting Nairobi and wanting to go to places in Nairobi, I would use them. Everything worked. Now I live in Cape Town and the story here looks the same. We used to have trains which used to run on time, with timetables, affordable fares for the common man but somehow this transport system collapsed. Reasons? The usual!!!

[@eacoincmubiru5894]

You mean the Cape Town metro is collapsing?

[@franmdleleni6520]

@@eacoincmubiru5894 Not collapsing, collapsed. This really hurts to see a once reliable transport system go down just like that. And it hurts the majority of the people who now have to rely on the expensive taxis, to go to work. Sad indeed.

[@bellaolum9768]

We used this bus to high-school for 4 years, it was so reliable!

[@EdwinOluoch-y9j]

I grew up in Nairobi from the 80s. Nyayo bus mahindraz also fell..the industries that held the country fell.We had to take the dictatorship out.Buses was the least of all that fell.As Nairobians we had to take Moi and Biwot out.Total man.we fought and won.Nairobi.

[@mansoormannix1753]

KENYA BUS was the best in terms of it efficiency and availability especially to the new visitors who were not familiar with the city. I remember KBS was rival by Blue Bird then Nyayo Bus join before all them collapsed after the new competition from Manyanga.

[@amadine770]

Bluebird and Red Arrow were Kenya Bus alternate services-Bluebird was supposed to be premium while Red Arrow was supposed to run few stops from the city and back-remember they even started Msafiri Coaches which were the first long distance coaches with a washroom onboard.

[@officialrichardmbuguajomo9222]

I lived in eastleigh near bustation section 3... Now it's a mall there owned by Somali... Miss those days there was double decker bus...

[@jeremyclyde3006]

That system simply could not keep up with the growing population. I remember being taken to nairobi show grounds in the 90's and we had to take a 42 bus from huruma that was going in the opposite direction just to get a damn seat. Things are better now if you asked me.

[@mwangimoses4105]

Good video but storyline quite off. How can one describe the peak hour rush in Nairobi as "when the city literally comes to a standstill?" How now?

[@justayoutuber]

Jams???

[@KenyanHistorian]

I think you don't understand the application of the word literally ndugu. He he.

[@mwangimoses4105]

@@KenyanHistorian I do. Literally means you are not using symbolism or asking us to imagine anything. It is as it is. It is on that premise that I will add that even in the thickest of jams as some viewers have alluded, Nairobi never stands, there will be boda bodas flying past you and madere wa mathrees jostling to change lanes like no mans business. And in Mũkarimani's own lyrics, Training ya gîthũngũ ndiarî gũthaka.

[@maasaimaasai2895]

Nolonger a kisumu Problem

[@davidsyengo1893]

There are two types of Kenyans: those who understand what Nairobi is and those who are stuck in love with the past.

[@HANDOLOH]

I used KBS eastlands to Ngara all my six years of secondary education. I retain an unbelievable nostalgia but so sad that all that is gone. I have never been a fan of matatus as clearly the way they behave on the road they are a service that are only interested with their profits

[@Man_a_Yardie]

Jericho!! That's my hood!! Shout out coach kalulu!!

[@linusimbayi7918]

Wonderful camerawork!!!!

[@LifeAsChristine]

Nice.. I enjoyed this.

[@temper44]

Maybe it can be done again, but with electric buses. Give them road privileges and free travel on the Nairobi expressway and KBS can rise again!

[@simonk.2969]

Cartels waende wapi??

[@doncorleon9]

We have to accept that to make things better we have to feel a pinch. Every attempt to change things is met with alotvof backlash for political expediency. Time moves on and it gets worse. Kenyans need to work together to reverse this trend. Nairobi will grind to an actual halt at this rate.

[@mueninzioka1187]

We need Kenya Buses back!

[@arfenmalik1717]

Currently the problem is with the small nissans The government should slowly phase them out

[@wanyonyiinnocent5872]

Masterpiece 🔥🔥

[@SuperXdomain]

There is profit in that chaos. Thats why they will always take time to implement on many ideas that can work and make things better.

[@mura5615]

GOVERNMENT SHOULD BRING BUS INVESTERS TO COMPETE WITH MATATUS AND GIVE KENYANS A CHOICE OF DESCENT SERVICES LIKE BEFORE. MATATU HAVE SHOWN THEY DO NOT LIKE DECENCY,ORDER AND CUSTOMER RESPECT.PERIOD. WACHA TUAMBIANE UKWELI.

[@Msapere]

Good stuff! 👏🏾👏🏾

[@vincentkibet-lu6bo]

In my view , public transport should be not be privatised. Ndio maana kuna mlungula.

[@bonidaexpress]

The late president Moi wanted to move the capital from Nairobi to Eldoret the 1st thing he did was he made sure the infrastructure in Nairobi was dilapidated and there was alot of crime,then his sons and close friends were the only persons licensed to import the 2nd hand vehicles from Dubai that was the beginning of the end of kbs

[@klassmediagroup292]

Everytime I visit Kenya. I get depressed in Traffic and how things are. I Waste 4 hours just to go to Town n Back. I don't know how Nairobians live like this Daily. It's Crazy n Mad.

[@electinexo5979]

I saw this too, some time back and as a shared be4, it's a very unfortunate situation, when greed is put ahead instead of development and progress..... and we the common people, always end up holding the losing end of the stick.... surely when one travels and leaves abroad for a while,u see that the system works in other countries,but our system is always failing US,.... cause I know it can work,and Kenyan's too can change with time and it can work....🥺😟🤨 We need to put the right people in the right system..😥🤨🏠🧑‍✈️🕵️🧑‍🏫👷🧑‍🔧🧑‍⚕️🧑‍🍳🚇🚨🚑🚕✈️🛳️🚟🚖🌆🏟️ etc...

[@moussa8512]

Government should find a longterm solution to this chaos!