Factors that generate and sustain handcart transport activities: a case study of Nairobi

Abstract

The major objective of the study was to explore factors that , generate and sustain handcart transport activities, in the streets of Nairobi. This entailed a thorough exploration of handcartpullers pertaining to their Socio-economic and demographic backgrounds as well as the economic and operational characteristics of the activity. Entry into handcart transport activities was the first dependent variable. The socio-economic and demographic factors selected as independent variables included; duration of urban residence family size, number of dependants level of education ,landownership before joining this activity, previous activities and previous incomes. Economic characteristics selected as independent variables included incomes from the activity, capital required to enter the activity, sources of capital and the activity's employment capacity. Investigation of the operational characteristics of the activity involved an analysis of the activity in terms of organization, nature of trip patterns, transportation costs, sources of competition, cargo characteristics, quality of transport, nature and availability of infrastructure used by the mode, the location characteristics among others. The study was based on a sample of 120 respondents randomly selected from each of the 8 locations purposively selected Data collection techniques were mainly primary with Questionnaires being the main data collection instruments. other data collection methods such as direct and participant observation were also used .Secondary data from available records were also used. These were mainly drawn from National Development Plans and the Economic surveys which provided data of a statistical nature. Data analysis was done through descriptive statistical methods using frequencies and percentages presented in form of tables to show patterns of relationships. The findings indicate that handcartpullers' poor Socio~ economic backgrounds exert great influence towards their entry into handcart transport activities. Most of the pullers have little formal education, lack requisite technical skills and resources such as land which leaves them with no hope of getting absorbed into the competitive formal or informal sectors. As a result of their poor backgrounds most of the pullers were found to have been previously unemployed or engaged in occupations that were less demanding in terms of education, technical skills and capital. The study further revealed that the operational characteristics of handcart transport make it enjoy a natural monopoly as a mode of goods carriage wi thin the city This was found to apply where the distances and nature of goods involved make it uneconomical to use motorized means of transport. In conclusion, the study recommends several policy intervention measures for improving and developing the sub sector among them need to stimulate demand for handcart transport services, institution of educational programmes to enlighten and empower handcartpullers and improvement and expansion of infrastructure