Visit any place and there will always be something signature or unique to that place. Hardly is there one place mirror image of another.
Nairobi codenamed ,the silicone savannah,the city in the sun et cetetra.Is a vibrant 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,but not enough attention has been accorded her eye catching public transportion buses.
Matatus as they are referred to are privately owned buses .They were brought 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).They mostly come come in a 14 seater,25 seater,33 seater and even 55 seater configuration.
A cinema theatre,moving sound system or art gallery are all terms that have been used to refer to these masterpieces of art,ostentation and ingenuity.
Jump onto a matatu for the first time and it will be an experience you will carry with you for a while.Contrary to typical public transport as in most jurisdictions.Where you simply board,ticket ,take your seat,doze off or stare at first passing flora outside your window awaiting destination.A matatu will tickle your fancy from the get go.
On its outside a typical matatu will be 'pimped' to the core as they put it.With vinyl graphics,graffiti,fancy LED lightning,classy rims and cutting edge fabrications.The horns will be blaring,the engine roaring and the music, ever blazing.
Of touts, they will whistle gracefully, wave the fare amount by hand signal and even come right where you are to ask and usher you in.Just make sure you've learnt a few of the slang as everything around matatu will be in sheng,a popular Kenyan slang.

Embarked,especially if you are lucky to board a really classy one.Cutting edge upholstery will be first to catch your eye.Not to mention the screens ,interior design,lighting and acoustic sound systems.Some come with a screen behind every seat akin to what they have in 747's and the like.A VIP section,a small compartment for elite experience is also a feature you can come by in some buses.Wifi connectivity will also bé on the list ,all to spice up your journey to or from home.Simply look around and find the password displayed mostly at the front and log in .
Notice also pictures of celebrities,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 if it's funny enough.
The 'tout experience' is also one to look out for.Catch them whistle in melody to communicate with the man behind the wheel on when to slam on the brakes for a pick up or a drop.Catch them also do acrobatic stunts at the doorway even as the wheels roll 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 in line with traffic laws. But it's the done thing.
You will notice the commuter fee is collected midway or at your point of dismount depending on a particular crews' modus operandi.At this point advisably ensure you have loose money for convenience purposes..Plus there's chance your integrity might be tested 'by fire ' if the conductor skips you while collecting busfare or simply forgets your seating position if you boarded midway.
For a first timer,by the time you alight usually in the space of minutes the experience will indeed have given you something to write home about.Notice,some passengers skillfull enough will be able to embark and disembark before the matatu has fully halted and still has some motion left.Wait till the vehicle is fully stopped if you don't subscribe to this skill for safety purposes.And there is enough slang for this also.
On the grand scheme of things.The matatu industry plays a pivotal rôle in matters job création in the country .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 MohaGrafix is to be lionized for doing the first artwork on a matatu years ago. Setting the trend from where the rest have religiously followed suit.And by so doing opening up a big job industry for artists, interior designers,painters.welders,sound technicians and electronics specialist.
On a community level, matatus have likewise made their fair contribution.A story is told of touts who help physically challenged persons daily to their seats.Additionally,a matatu saved a possible car jacking by escorting a vehicle not so long ago.Recently again, "Tango one" a matatu plying route 23 and owned by R.O.G sacco recently detoured off its usual course when an expectant lady passenger started experiencing labor pains.And delivered her child onboard with the help of knowledgeable passengers just as the matatu was rolling into hospital.Not forgetting many school going children dépend on these buses to school .They are handled quite gracefully for the most part and even have their fare significantly reduced.
Matatus equally come in as instruments of expression of various things going on in the country and world at large.You just need to read most of the graffiti and quotes written on matatus to catch a glimpse of what conversations are going on in the country. Brand names like Ngamia 1,Eurobond ,Kiongozi,Arab money et cetera are evidence of this.
Only recently, Nganya awards ,a platform where the best matatu by design and most disciplined drivers, conductors,saccos, sound technicians and fabricators are recognized and awarded was set up.Encouraging talent,good service ,work ethic and good competitiveness in the industry.
On the flipside though .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 will overspend on the designs not taking into consideration subsequent wear and tear hence affecting their profitability margins .
Nevertheless ,matatus will remain a distinct and signature culture unique round the globe to the city of Nairobi .It is a means of expression in Kenya urban culture and the affordable and timely means of commute for an immeasurable number of city dwellers operating almost 24hrs. A major source of employment for many around the country.
Visit Kenya,visit nairobi and sure enough,ensuré you board a matatu.