Yesterday, I saw a matatu cut down the inside of all the traffic splashing all the pedestrians on the side of the road, while forcing them off the roadside into the gutter. Then the driver proceeded to cut me off and then pushed his way into the queue. When one motorist tried to talk to him, he just turned up his music louder to drown out the criticism. Then he pulled out and proceeded to overtake down the wrong side of the road, again forcing oncoming traffic off the road.When the matatu got to the junction he then turned right in front of a Minister's car, cutting him off and forcing the Minister's driver to brake very hard to avoid hitting him! Meanwhile, a policeman at the junction watched the whole saga and never pulled the Matau over, nor did the Minister's car make any attempt to do anything. This is normal operating procedure for matatus and everyone is fed up, yet they get away with it day in and day out.
I don't understand why the police don't do something to stop these maniacs. If a regular driver is seen by a policeman committing even the most minor misdemeanour they are immediately pulled over, chastised, taken to court, etc., while the matatus, the real killers, are left to wreak havoc on Kenya's roads. It just doesn't make sense to me.
The arrogance of the matatu drivers is becoming world renown, with overseas tourist talking about them before they even get here. Is this the impression of our country we want to send to foreign visitors? Do we want them to be stunned by Kenya’s beauty and wildlife only to have it tarnished by these dangerous, arrogant drivers?
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Here is an article I wrote which appeared in Travel News. It is directly relevant to your "Rant About Matatus!" Enjoy!
The Matter of Matatu Manners
by Jolene M. Wood
There are only a handful of Swahili words that tourists take home, along with thousands of digital photos, wood carvings and amoebae. Jambo is easy enough to remember; so is hakuna matata (made famous as a catchy jingle in The Lion King). Tusker baridi is another useful phrase which is often recalled, especially when wearing the branded tee shirt. But there is one word in Swahili that we all learn at the outset, on the way from the airport. It is a word that evokes fear, anger, frustration, shock, amazement and amusement – all in one breath: Matatu.
A matatu is a privately-owned people-ferrying vehicle, often a 14-seater minibus. Due to recent legislation by the government, they must be predominantly monochrome, girded by a bright yellow band indicating route and capacity information. The bright yellow band also serves well as an early warning system for innocent road users that danger is looming; much like the fluorescent tape used by police to demarcate a crime scene.
Matatus (or is it correct to say watatu?) are so named for the cost of a fare in their early days. It used cost three (tatu) shillings to imperil your life - or have a joy ride - depending on your point of view. Nowadays, like everything else, the fare is much more than that, but the tatu of matatu has stuck.
Say the word in any circle – “matatu” – and eyes will roll in mock horror. Everyone has a better matatu story than the next guy, and as outrageous as the stories might sound, they are probably true.
So, why do matatus arouse such vitriolic emotions in us? It’s not the vehicles, but the drivers and their touts who force our sweet grandmothers to use language you wouldn’t hear in the seediest gin joint. The drivers, now smartly uniformed and properly seat-belted into their scud missiles, have passed licensing tests based on a highway code from a parallel universe, it seems. The special edition matatu highway code might contain some of the following rules and regulations:
• If there is an oncoming vehicle on the correct side of the road, aim for it and swerve at the last possible moment.
• If one lane of traffic is deemed insufficient by the driver, create more by using pavements, ditches or oncoming lanes as necessary.
• If it is not possible to overtake, cling tightly to the bumper of the car ahead so there is no chance of avoiding an accident should the lead vehicle need to brake.
• Overtake on the left whenever possible. This causes pedestrians and goats to dive for their lives into hedges or rubbish heaps and creates huge clouds of dust. This practice is also known as ‘undertaking’.
• Speed limits are not included in the matatu highway code and therefore non-applicable. Similarly, speed governors are to be used only in the presence of radar detectors.
• There are no designated drop off/pick up points for passengers. Busy road junctions, entrances to hospitals and busy highways are recommended.
• Once another road user has been over- (or under-) taken, slow to a crawl and begin trawling for passengers.
• When coming to a stop, give no indication. If desired, the tout will stick his leg out to seize carte blanche access to all detours. Banging on the roof of a fellow road user is also allowed.
• Music speakers capable of being heard on the moon are mandatory.
• And finally… If there are any traffic laws, ignore them all.
Is it any wonder that matatu is not an endearing word in our vocabularies? It’s often used by small children who daringly test their parents by using ‘naughty’ words, and will probably get their mouths washed out with soap for it.
My mother came home the other day with inspiring news. She had been politely given way not once, but TWICE, by matatus on her way home! She was shaking with the excitement. Ironic, isn’t it, that this should be big news? Could it be a sign that there is hope on the horizon? That sanity will return to our roads? Nah… Those two considerate matatu drivers, however, did much to redeem their wayward colleagues, and should be applauded loudly.
Maybe if we all treat fellow road users with a bit more respect, instead of fear and aggression, there would be fewer accidents and stress-related diseases. I once saw a great bumper sticker that read, “Attitudes are contagious. Is yours worth catching?”
I just wanted to point out that in the early day - the price for this was 3 coins - the 10cent ones - this is why the name "MATATU" was coined...so the fare was 30 cents....( which is a rarity to be seen these days - the coin, that is !!!)
Many years ago, I made a sticker which said "DANGER ! EX-MATATU DRIVER" as part of a series of car stickers...It STILL sells well today - and these have been plagiarised by so many !! Pushpendra Shah, HARIA'S STAMP SHOP LTD hariastamp@gmail.com
Being on the road is a great feeling. But you should always keep in mind that it entails a lot of responsibility on your part also. You have a responsibility to yourself, to other drivers and the law. Spending some time in driving schools benefits not only you. It will also benefit other people in the long run.
Driving Schools A to Z
I do agree with what drivingschool1 has said - but the system works well if, and when everyone has been to the driving school AND follows the rules...
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