The scenic glide on Lake Victoria’s ‘water buses’

My work has taken me across countries, cultures, and terrains. But among the most memorable and unique modes of travel I’ve encountered is water transport. It’s more than a commute. It’s an experience, a story, and often, a window into the daily lives of the communities I serve.

My first experiences with water transport were recreational. I remember traveling with friends to explore the beauty of the highlands of Ndere in Kisumu County in 2018. Another time we travelled to explore Siambi Highland in Homa Bay County with friends in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. These were moments of pure fun: gliding from one highland to the next, surrounded by laughter, the breeze, and an endless expanse of water.

But over time, water transport became something deeper, it became part of my professional life. In December 2024, I was on field work in Homa Bay County for a week-long community engagement project. Our team was stationed on a highland, Takawiri Highland, and every morning and evening for seven days, we traveled by speedboat to reach our target communities. Trust me, Homa Bay County is beautiful.

That daily cruise was nothing short of magical. There’s something incredibly humble about watching the sunrise from a boat, the lake shimmering in gold, then doing it all again in the evening, with the wind rushing past as the sun sank behind the hills. It was the most exhilarating and efficient way to travel to and from work, blending adventure with purpose.

Read also: Born on the lake, the difference a boat makes for island mothers

However, not everyone had that luxury. I witnessed how local community members, especially the business ladies and men who had to get their stock from the mainland, those working or schooling off-islands, depended heavily on public water ‘buses’. They had to be at the bay by dawn—missing the water bus often meant relying on slower, less comfortable traditional boats, or missing their destination altogether. It was a stark reminder that while water transport can be adventurous, for many it’s a lifeline and not always a reliable one.

My encounters with water travel don’t end there. On three separate occasions, I’ve used the ferry to cross the Indian Ocean from Mombasa to Kwale. Each trip offered calm waters, stunning views, and a few quiet moments of reflection, always documented with photos and videos I cherish to this day. Collectively, I have used the normal water boat, the speedboat, the water bus, and the ferry, and the experience, I can say, has always been magical.

Unlike many, I’ve never had a fear of water. In fact, I embrace it. Whether for fun, duty, or discovery, water transport has always left me with a deep appreciation for nature’s pathways and the communities that rely on them.