"People are respectful": Kenyan student living in US shares road crossing guide

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

- Nathan K Rono, a Kenyan student living in the US, filmed himself demonstrating how Americans use pedestrian crossing signals

- The TikTok video draws a humorous comparison between crossing roads in Kenya and the structured, sign-guided system used in the US

- Rono walked viewers through each stage of the pedestrian signal, from the push-button to the countdown timer, in a suburban American neighbourhood

A Kenyan student living in the United States has tickled the internet after posting a TikTok video showing just how different crossing a road in America is compared to what most Kenyans grew up doing.

Nathan K Rono filmed himself outdoors in a suburban American neighbourhood, standing at an intersection and walking his followers through the entire process of using a pedestrian crossing signal, step by step.

From Nairobi streets to US crosswalks

In Kenya, crossing a road is largely a matter of reading traffic and timing your steps.

In the US, Rono discovered, there is a structured system complete with a push-button signal, a dedicated pedestrian sign, and a countdown timer that tells you exactly how many seconds remain to get to the other side safely.

Pedestrians must wait for specific walking symbol

"Crossing the road here is not like how we do it in Kenya," he said at the start of the video, before launching into his tutorial.

He explained that pedestrians must wait for a specific walking symbol to appear before stepping off the kerb, and that a separate sign warns against starting to cross once the countdown has begun.

When the light turned green for vehicles from one direction, he pointed out that this was his cue to wait, and once traffic stopped, he stepped out while the timer counted down from 15.

Rono amazed by discipline of other road users

What clearly impressed Rono most was the discipline of other road users. "People are very respectful," he noted, as cars came to a complete stop without hesitation the moment the pedestrian signal activated.

He wrapped up his demonstration with a cheerful summary: "Very efficient, very simple."

The caption overlaid across the video read: "POV: You grew up crossing roads in Kenya, then moved to the US," and the contrast it captured resonated with many viewers who have experienced a similar adjustment after relocating abroad.

US woman living in Kenya shares experience living in rural area

In another, TUKO.co.ke also highlighted facts about Ashley, an American woman who spent five years living in rural Kenya, sharing her unique experiences through a captivating TikTok video.

Her simple Sunday routine, featuring bucket showers and leisurely breakfasts, showcased a lifestyle that contrasted starkly with the fast-paced modern world, inviting viewers to appreciate the beauty of slow living.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.