Travel choices of informal worker in Kamukunji Metalwork cluster, Nairobi

Abstract

Paper presented at the 32nd Annual Southern African Transport Conference 8-11 July 2013 "Transport and Sustainable Infrastructure", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa.

Travel is essential in people’s day to day lives. Through travel, people are able to access places, other people, goods and services that are separated across space and time. Governments informed by the needs of the people invest funds in infrastructural development to facilitate efficiency in travel. This study focused on the travel needs and modal choices of informal workers in Kamukunji metalwork cluster in Nairobi. Data was collected from a sample of 63 respondents through a field survey, travel diary and key informant interviews. The study found that informal workers in Kamukunji had unique travel patterns motivated by needs for social integration, commuting to work, sourcing raw materials and supply of end products to customers. The travel modes used to meet these needs were found to be specific to the travel purpose. Descriptive statistics, thematic analysis and Chi-Square tests were used in data analysis. The study concludes that the travel patterns and choices of informal workers in Kamukunji and the informal sector at large impact on travel and transport use in Nairobi. This is important for the stakeholders involved in planning and infrastructure development.