'Safe' charcoal on highways: Myth or witchcraft?

Margaret Karuki sleeps soundly at night despite leaving her sacks of charcoal on the Nairobi-Nyeri highway.

Motorists passing along the busy highway do not touch it. This is because of a popular myth that anyone who steals the commodity will be bewitched.

Some myths suggest that a strange illness may befall the thief while others point to the charcoal tormenting the person.    

She is one of the traders on the lengthy stretch between Makuyu and Makutano Junction, which is popular for having clean charcoal sourced from Machakos and Kitui counties.

“We do not use witchcraft to stop thieves. Sometimes charcoal is stolen but is usually our neighbours that steal from us and not motorists,” she said.

BAN
The myths may have secured her business but have not protected her from a storm brewing over charcoal trade in the country.

Since the ban on the trade by Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu, the traders are a worried lot.

Charcoal prices have shot up. According to the traders, the price of a sack of charcoal has risen to an average of Sh1,200 from Sh750, due to scarcity of the commodity.

A trader, Nelson Baraza, who started selling charcoal three years ago, noted that since the ban transportation cost has increased with only few transporters risking ferrying charcoal following the burning of two vehicles in Kitui.

The traders get the charcoal from Kitui and Machakos counties and very few, if any burn their charcoal.

“Prices have gone up and it has also become difficult to get sacks of charcoal. Customers do not understand because they are not aware of what is happening."

ECONOMY
The traders said Governor Ngilu should push for reforestation instead of punishing those involved in charcoal trade.

Mr Philip Mutua, who has been selling the commodity for over 40 years, accused Ms Ngilu of taking away their only source of livelihood.

“The governor should be sensitising those involved in charcoal burning on the importance of planning trees instead of frustrating us. She is only being greedy,” he said.

He insisted that the government must be ready to support families that depend on charcoal trade to meet their needs if the ban persists.

“I have educated my children and grandchildren by selling charcoal. If the ban continues, the government should be ready to support my entire family, he said.

Interestingly, the owners leave the sacks of charcoal at sides of the road and do not bother to employ a watchman.