By Prudence Minayo
The chaotic matatu industry employs thousands of youths in Kenya, both directly and indirectly. Efforts to bring sanity to the sector have remained largely futile. Save for the now struggling Double M, most public service vehicles (PSVs) are characterised by reckless drivers who flout all traffic rules with abandon and conductors who lack basic customer care skills when dealing with passengers.
This writer takes a look at the ten worst matatu Saccos in Kenya.
Zamzam Sacco
These buses rank high among the worst driven in Kenya. They block roads inconveniencing other road users and drive the buses at breakneck speeds. The sacco hit the headlines in 2018 when two of their touts were accused of murder after allegedly pushing out 21-year-old Nairobi Institute of Business Studies (NIBS) student Doreen Kinya from one of their spending buses. A dispute arose after she complained of being driven past where she was to alight.
In yet another incident in 2019, a bus belonging to the Sacco threw out 25-year-old Gerald Kimondo Wachira leading to his untimely death.
Kenya Mpya
The Sacco operates buses on Thika road and now along Kangundo road. They have been previously ranked among the worst owing to their reckless driving and the fact that they’ve been involved in a number of accidents. They are known for over speeding along Thika Superhighway and lacking courtesy
In December 2017 and January 2018, the fleet of buses caused a number of accidents prompting the government to threaten them with a ban.
Also Read: Owners Of Neo Kenya Mpya Buses
Also Read: Best Managed Matatu Saccos in Kenya
Ongata Line
The matatus on this line are often classified as the coolest because of their blaring music and how they are ‘pimped’. That aside, the matatus are rowdy and are the pioneers of CBD Matatu madness.
Ummoiner
These matatus are known as one of the pioneers of the modern Matatu culture. They are however, famous for ignoring traffic rules by over speeding and carelessly overtaking vehicles. They have also been involved in numerous accidents that could have been avoided.
In 2013, the Matatu Welfare Association supported the government’s decision to cancel the Sacco’s operating license after their bus was involved in a fatal accident and left many injured.
In 2019, NTSA suspended the driving license of one of Ummoiner Sacco matatu drivers after a viral video of reckless driving. In the video, the matatu was seen recklessly overtaking and nearly hit a boda boda rider.
Embassava
Many Kenyans in 2014 condemned this Sacco after their touts stripped a woman whom they termed indecently dressed. In fact , this led to the famous slogan My Dress My Choice.
In 2019, Embassava touts along Outering road were accused of extorting money from passengers. The Nairobian reported that the touts ‘employ’ squad touts who lie to passengers about fare.
The management admitted that the vice existed and action would be taken.
Forward Travellers
Most are notorious for extremely loud music, overlapping and over speeding without a care of other motorists.
In May 2019, Ghetto news reported passengers plying the Kayole routes also accused the touts of fare extortion.
Pinpoint Sacco
The matatus operating along the Kayole route have been previously accused of extortion by passengers. They claimed that touts increase the fare once the matatu is on the move and any attempt to raise concerns is net by violence.
Githurai 45 Travellers Sacco
These buses are ranked among the most reckless in the city. From overlapping, picking up passengers in a, overspending to dirt and very loud music, these matatus are known to flout various traffic routes.
Marimba Investment Sacco
A crew of one of its matatus clobbered a motorist to death in Nairobi. Joseph Kiarie was killed after a scuffle ensued when his car collided with a matatu belonging to the Sacco at Kamiti Tuners junction. The crew beat Kiarie and left him lying on the road. He was rushed to Neema Hospital where he succumbed to injuries. The Sacco’s operations license was suspended.
