The transport system of a town is one of its defining features. Getting around is an important part of everyday life, and the way through which this is achieved becomes woven into a town’s identity. This is true for Busia, where you will undoubtedly spot several bicycle taxis.
The use of bicycles to ferry people around this town can be traced back to the early 60s when they were embraced as a mode of transport. It is said that back then, bicycles were used to shuttle goods across the Kenya – Uganda border. Whenever the bicycle operators were ferrying people over to Uganda, they would ride though Busia town shouting, “Border, border!” to let people know their intentions of crossing the border. The call became so popular that bicycles were baptized the name boda boda. Over time, the word’s popularity spread throughout East Africa and in May 2017, boda boda was added to the 9th edition of the Oxford English Dictionary. Many now associate the word boda boda with motorcycle taxis, but its origin remains well rooted in the early means of transport used in Busia. Even now as the need for speed has become more apparent and motorcycle boda bodas have gained more popularity, bicycle boda bodas retain a special place in the hearts of Busia locals, who will fight to keep them around for as long as they can.
Owing to its close proximity to Uganda, Busia town has grown exponentially over the past few decades to become a trader’s haven. To facilitate even more cross-border trade, the two governments came together in February 2018 and set up a one-stop border post in this town. Initially, anyone hoping to cross the border had to endure a lengthy clearance procedure which could last up to three days. Now, with proper documentation, crossing over to Uganda takes less than ten minutes. Due to this efficiency, trade in Busia town is booming, and a walk through this border town pays testament to this. Hotels and food joints are present in nearly every street to accommodate visitors, and the locals fill the town’s open markets in search of a bargain.
In Busia, it is not uncommon for a local to be a master of two crafts: trading and farming. The town’s small-scale farmers frequently grace the open markets to sell their fresh produce. Busia is a farmer’s dream, with its rich loamy soils that support an abundance of crops. Cassavas, groundnuts, maize, beans, and green grams are some of the harvests of the place. Mboga za kienyeji are also grown and consumed plentifully, and of course, these yummy greens are usually accompanied with a plate of sizzling hot ugali.
From blessing us with the name boda boda to hosting traders and supporting farmers, the magic of Busia is not lost on us. We certainly hope it’s not lost on you!
