Eriko works as an unofficial traffic marshal, stationed at the busy Globe Cinema roundabout.
His job is to monitor the traffic situation around the area and advise drivers on the best routes to take to avoid congestion.
Eriko mainly serves matatus, but he also receives calls from private cars and lorries.
Vehicles coming into Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) from Thika Road, Pangani, and Muthaiga often contact him for updates about traffic conditions.
Eriko moves around the area, observing traffic flow, and relaying this information to drivers. His goal is to help them avoid getting stuck in the city’s notorious traffic jams.
Despite the risks involved in standing in the middle of busy roads, Eriko says he enjoys his job and the financial rewards it brings.
He has shared that he earns more than many people in office jobs. Unlike formal employment, Eriko’s job gives him the freedom to work outside the traditional office setting.
He believes that if one is hardworking, they can earn a good income from the streets, something he feels few white-collar workers can match.
Eriko explained that matatus usually pay him KSh 50, while other vehicles, such as "nganyas," give him KSh 100 for his services.
His earnings depend on the services he provides and the number of calls he receives from drivers.
Eriko’s journey to this job was not easy, as he had been jobless for two months before starting to work as a traffic marshal.
He first worked in Ruaka, then moved to Roysambu before settling at the Globe Cinema roundabout.
Many Kenyans have expressed admiration for Eriko’s hustle. Some have acknowledged how physically demanding the job is, with Eriko often walking and running all day to assist drivers.
Others were surprised to learn that such a job exists, noting how different it is from traditional office work.
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