MATATU CULTURE

Visit any place and there will always be what is trademark to that particular locality. For ,hardly is there a place mirror image of another.

Nairobi,the city in the sun.Is a nice city. Green,modern and also serving as the capital of Kenya.Much has been written about Nairobi including it being the only city with a national gamepark adjacent.Visit Nairobi and you will likewise immediately notice its eye catching minibuses serving as public transport.

Matatus as they are referred to are privately owned and came in to add on to and eventually face out  government provided buses post independence.They derive their name from the three cents the buses charged as commuter fee.(matatu means three in the local Kikuyu dialect).Unlike buses,matatus come with a 14 seater,25 seater,33 seater and a 55 seater configuration.

A cinema theatre,moving sound system or art gallery are all terms that have been used to refer to these masterpieces.Jump into a matatu and it will be an experience you will carry with you for a while.Contrary to typical public transport .Where you simply board,ticket and take your seat awaiting destination.A matatu will tickle your fancy from the word go.

From the outside a matatu is well 'pimped as they put it.With vinyl graphics,graffiti,classy rims and cutting edge fabrications. The choda design being the trendiest and most popular one.The horns will be blaring,the engine roaring and the music ever blazing.Of touts, they will whistle gracefully, wave the fare by hand signal and even come right where you at to ask you in.Just make sure you've learnt a few of the slang as everything around matatu will be in popular slang.

Once you are in,especially if you are lucky to board a really classy one.Cutting edge upholstery will be first to catch your eye. Of course after the screens ,interior design and acoustic sound systems.Some have a screen behind every seat.So don't worry,you won't need to crane your neck to catch the big screen as their is one for each passenger.A VIP section,a small compartment for elite experience is also a feature you can come by .Wifi is also provided.Simply look around and find the password displayed mostly at the front and log in .

Notice also pictures of celebrity personalities,reknown televangelists and politicians gracing the insides.Advertisement stickers, bible verses and gutter press stickers the content of which is in most cases comic also add to the interior.You are allowed to giggle,or smile at yourself if it is funny enough.

The tout experience is also one of you should look out for.Catch them whistle in melody to communicate with the man behind the wheel on when to slam on the breaks for a pick up or a drop.Watch them also do acrobatic stunts at the doorway even as the wheels roll in high-speed.

En route,a matatu will meander through traffic in tact and skill second to none.Dont be surprised to see the driver roll onto the pedestrian/cyclist passage overtaking or anticipating space ahead in a traffic jam.It is populary known as an overlap,punishable, but it's the done thing.

You will notice the commuter fee is collected midway or at your point of dismount depending on the crews modus operandi.At this point better make sure you have loose money for convenience purposes..Plus there's chance your integrity might be tested 'by fire ' if the conductor skips you or simply forgets to charge you.

For a first timer,by the time you alight usually in the space of minutes the experience will indeed have given you something to  tell a story about.Some skillfull and youthful enough will be able to get off before the matatu is fully stopped.Kindly wait till the vehicle is fully stopped if you don't subscribe to such skills.And there is enough slang for this stunt also.

On the bigger picture, the matatu industry is a major employment provider in the Kenya.Talk of thousands working round the clock as designers and matatu crew.Not forgetting those employed in the many sacco's managing the business . Having mentioned these, one guy Moha is to be applauded for doing the first artwork on a matatu years ago. Setting the trend from where the rest followed suit.And, opening up a big big job opportunity for artists, interior designers and electronics specialist.

On a community level, matatu have also made their fair contribution.A story is told of touts who help physically challenged persons daily to their seats.A matatu saved a possible car jacking by escorting a vehicle the other day.And in tango one plying route 23 and owned by R.O.G sacco,a church based company and major player in the industry.A woman with the help of pedestrians and of course goodwill from the crew who had already detoured to help her into hospital .Came to birth right aboard just as the vehicle crawled into hospital.Young school going children are also handled gracefully on their way to and from school.And,not forgetting, top of the range customer services in some matatus.Where, lost and found goods will be kept secure for you. Plus  you will be welcomed in ,guided through wifi connection, and , you almost think you are aboard something else.

Additionaly matatus also come in as instruments of expression of various things going on in the country.You just need to read most of the graffiti and quotes written on matatus to catch a glimpse of  what word is going round in various facets of the country. Brand names like ngamia 1,eurobond ,kiongozi et cetera are evidence of this.

Only recently, Nganya awards ,a platform where the best and most disciplined drivers, conductors,saccos, sound technicians and fabricators are recognized  was set up.Further spicing up talent,work ethic and competitiveness in the industry.

To now level the ground .A finger has been pointed at particular sacco's plying particular routes for entertaining criminals who steal from passengers on their way and even air explicit material. Only recently did a trio receive what most considered a heavy judgement for a misdeed involving a female commuter in one of the matatus.Return on investment is also another issue.Where some investors overspend on the designs not taking into consideration subsequent wear and tear hence profitability margins .

Nevertheless ,matatus will remain an iconic landmark to the city of Nairobi .A means of expression in Kenya urban culture. The affordable and timely means of commute for a surmountable number of city dwellers operating almost 24hrs. And a major source of employment for many around the country.

Visit Kenya,visit nairobi and sure enough board a matatu.