What began as a simple photograph at a Nairobi bus station has unexpectedly turned into a national sensation.
A 67-seater Kayole bus, known among city commuters as Survivor 6, has captured the imagination of Kenyans after successfully travelling from Nairobi to Busia, a route few believed it could conquer.
The ageing blue-and-white bus, is a familiar sight in Nairobi’s eastern routes.
For years, it has operated strictly as a town service vehicle, long overshadowed by sleek, modern coaches that dominate long-distance travel.
Which is why its owner, identified only as Njoroge, stunned many when he decided to send it on the demanding 465-kilometre journey to western Kenya at the height of the festive travel rush.
Inside Survivor 6 bus./SCREENGRAB
Reports indicate he intends to spend a week in western Kenya before making yet another return journey that could earn him a similar amount.
For many Kenyans, the bold decision bordered on reckless optimism.
The festive season is notorious for traffic gridlocks, overworked vehicles and heightened mechanical breakdowns.
Given Survivor 6’s age and city-bound routine, doubts were widespread.
Still, passengers driven by desperation, curiosity or sheer trust boarded and buckled up.
What followed was an eight-hour cross-country trip that unfolded in real time on social media.
Kenyans tracked the bus from the moment it rolled out of Nairobi, posting updates, videos and commentary on Instagram and other platforms.
Each update stirred a mix of anxiety, humour and admiration as the unlikely contender trudged through highways and rural stretches.
And then the news dropped: Survivor 6 had safely arrived in Busia.
Survivor 6 at a petrol station in Madeya along the Kisumu-Busia highway where it stopped to refill./SCRENGRAB
Below are some of the reactions from Kenyans as shared online.
“Ni ukweli niliona huyu mnyama akiteremka western. ” Mzee ni wewe”,” a user said, dispelling doubt that the bus had not traveled to Busia.
“Hio gari tulieka engine ya scania,” another said.
A user outlined the crew on the bus, “And the funny part is amongst the people it had 4 drivers ,6 mechanics, and 300liters of water …..”
“Now i believe the road to Singapore is possible even with wheelbarrow,” a Kenyan joked.
“These buses should be brought back on roads with hybride engine since there body is more strong to prevent road carnage,” a user suggested.
For doubting Thomases, “I will only believe it ferried passengers from nairobi to Busia when I see witnesses from the bus who journeyed from Nairobi to Busia.”
by SHARON MWENDE
