What is Your Worst Experience in a Nairobi Matatu?

By Soko Directory Team / Published January 26, 2022 | 12:46 pm

KEY POINTS

If you are lucky enough to own a car and you are comfortable driving your way around in Nairobi then good for you but am sure even in your comfortable car you have also had bad encounters with the Nairobi Matatus.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

We have all had our worst experiences in these Nairobi Matatu’s and I know the list is endless, but we should be very cautious and take care of ourselves especially if we are using public transport.

Matatus are the most common and fastest way of transportation here in Nairobi, especially if heading to work, running errands, or heading back home. If you live in Nairobi, once in a while you have used a Matatu as your means of transportation to your destination.

So here we go. Let’s begin with my worst experience. This day I boarded a Matatu from Ongata Rongai In Kajiado County and was heading to town on my way to work. Very early in the morning between 4 AM to around 5:30 AM from Rongai to Town CBD is 50 Bob yes, it’s affordable to commute from Rongai to town.

So, I boarded the Matatu and on our way to town, the tout started collecting bus fare. I only had 100 shillings with me and I was so sure I was going to get my balance of 50 shillings. So, I paid and waited for my balance.

When we reached T-Mall on Lang’ata Road, I decided to ask the tout for my balance and to my surprise, the guy was bold enough to tell me I gave him 50 shillings so no balance for me.

At first, I brushed off his response. I again waited for a while and this time I was so clear with him that I needed my balance because I gave him 100 shillings and not 50 shillings.

We started back and forth until we reached the last stage in town and this guy was still refusing to give me my balance.

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I was so broke at that time and I was supposed to take another Matatu to my workplace. That’s why I had the exact bus fare from Rongai. I was not going to allow this guy to con me so I decided to remain in the matatu after everyone has alighted.

Immediately the tout came and told me “You are the kind of women who are conning people here in Nairobi,” (Msichana mrembo lakini umejaza uongo, hata huyo mzee alishukia Nyayo aliniambia ulilipa 50 shillings). I just knew this guy was not going to pay me.

Long story short, the guy told the driver to drive me back to Rongai so that I can utilize the money I was saying he owes me. I have never felt so helpless in my life.

The driver drove at a very high speed and I had to shout in the back seat for them to stop and let me out. For a moment I felt I was being kidnapped.

I Just decided to alight and find my way to work. Thank God for Fuliza I had not reached my limit so I had to Fuliza my bus fare to work.

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Thanks a lot, to the matatu’s that allow you to pay bus fare via your mobile phone. I have never felt so demoralized and powerless like that day, it just dawned on me, is this how innocent people end up in jail for the crimes they never committed?

Ever since that experience I always carry the exact amount if I know I will be using a Matatu on that day to avoid such experience. Or I’d rather pay using my phone if I do not have the exact fare.

We have all had our worst experiences in these Nairobi Matatu’s and I know the list is endless. All in all, we should be very cautious and take care of ourselves especially if we are using public transport as our daily means of getting to places to avoid being conned.

EDITOR’S NOTE:

Article by Doreen.

About Soko Directory Team

Soko Directory is a Financial and Markets digital portal that tracks brands, listed firms on the NSE, SMEs and trend setters in the markets eco-system.Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/SokoDirectory and on Twitter: twitter.com/SokoDirectory

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