OPINION: How safe are you on the Nairobi Expressway?

After all, I know and follow road rules, I know how the expressway operates; I have the OBU and I ensure it's always updated with toll points.  I know I should use the ETC lane. I know the MTC lane is for cash and card users. I know I should slow down according to the road signs put up just before the entrances and exits.

So, what could possibly go wrong?

9.30am at the Imara Daima entrance towards the CBD; they call it Eastern Bypass, and I am among tens of expressway users waiting their turn at the entrance.

Both ETC and MTC. One car after another, on the ETC lane, vehicles pass. It takes 3 seconds (so they say) for the cameras to detect your OBU, display your car registration details and toll points balance and the barrier opens, with a beep.

The car before me goes through. Same thing happens with mine, and as I pass through, a huge thud on my car's roof! I stop. Shaken. What was that? Am I still on earth? What just happened? So many questions run through my mind, I reverse. A gentleman brings me back to earth, "Don't go back!" He says.

I stop the car, switch off the engine, and get out. Shocked and furious.

"Why, how did that barrier come down before I had passed through?" I ask.

"Madam, labda ni mtu alikuwa mbele yako hakuwa Amelipa, ama ni wewe" The same gentleman says.

Everyone else in the MOJA EXPRESSWAY reflector jackets looks my way, no one moves an inch. A lady from the toll booth comes out, looking shocked, the gentleman asks her to check if my toll points were updated. She goes back into the toll booth, a few seconds later she comes out, "Yeye Yuko Sawa," she says and goes back to her station.

"What happened?" I ask again. "What if I had been injured?"

"Madam, lakini si hujaumia." The gentleman says.

With no answers forthcoming, I drive off. Still in shock. My heart is racing. I'd rather be anywhere else but here.

I exit the expressway without a hitch, arrive at my destination, basement parking. Another barrier. I freeze. A minute later, I summon my courage and press the button to release the parking ticket.  I park my car, no scratch except some dust wiped off where the barrier hit the roof. Just inches from the windshield. I call THE MOJA EXPRESSWAY HOTLINE at 9.45am.

A lady picks up and I explain what happened, she is apologetic, asks for my registration details and says they will go through the camera footage and get back to me.

Three days later, I am still waiting. Wondering....

I also sent a text to the Roads & Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen narrating my experience. He stated that he will get his team to follow-up since he was away on official duties.

When something that could have gone so wrong but by a mighty hand of luck doesn't, my mother always says, NUKSI IMEPITA (Bad luck has passed).  I want to trust that's what happened this Friday 13, 2023.

But I hope, this doesn't happen again to anyone, much less become a tragedy.