Making video reports in conflict zones usually starts with arranging for transport. Many African countries maintain a dense public transport system using buses of all sorts. Regardless of the technical state of the vehicles, or the road that can be horendous, the system works quite well. That is to say, when there is no conflict or other security hazard. The national or local governments then can easily close the roads. Now, as a journalist these zones are exactly where you want to go. Hiring a private car is not a reliable option, you can be stopped.
To reach Turbi from Nairobi we had to go to Isiolo first, the town were the road to Marsabit and Turbi starts, and of course that one is blocked. We talked, talked and talked, and finally hitch hiked on a government vehicle. It was a lenghty negotiating process, with shouting and almost fighting between people who wanted to take us, and others who refused. We paid a fair amount of money, being a sum of the virtual fare and a tip for the driver. Seven hours of shaking in the back of a lorry brought us to Marsabit. The road was like a petrified beach. Amazing how much the human body can sustain.
The next day we hitch hiked on a police car to Turbi.We didn't have to pay anything, although in Kenya the police has a bad reputation regarding asking for bribes. Police cars don't have speed governors, so we reached the place quite fast. The driver was speeding because of possible attacks by bandits.
When finally arrived there is little time left to study the subject, or to get a profound idea of what really happened, let alone interviews. What happened in Turbi proved shocking, but of course we had to hurry to be in time for a transport back.
MOAM sample, narration in Dutch:
http://www.ruudelmendorp.dds.nl/rijder.wmv
[made on a mobile]