Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading matatu. Transport cooperative societies transcoop documents ministry. One man is on a quest to document nairobis matatu culture before it disappears. It may not be wise to venture into it if you are tied up in an office job from 8 am to 5 pm. This is money one can use to buy a second hand matatu that has been on the road for 68 years. Although their origins can be traced back to the 1960s, matatu saw growth in kenya in the 1980s and 1990s, and by the early 2000s the archetypal form was a gaily decorated japanese microvan. The organization and future of the matatu industry in nairobi, kenya jennifer graeff project coordinator.
Unfortunately, the sector has largely operated with minimal regulations. A significant amount of literature identified matatu drivers specifically as being dangerous drivers, or the main cause of accidents. Route changes are often developed by the matatu industry, not the government, in response to demand. A marvelous matatu by the name sting, the matatu sacco is one of the safest in kenya according to residents. With thousands of matatus operating in the city, there are some characteristics or rather types of matatu touts makangas who work in this industry and below is the list. The fall of kbs made it possible to run matatu business in kenya in a time where minivans were the preferred mode of transport. Regulation is important for any sector since uncontrolled market place cannot produce behaviour or results in accordance with the public interest. Regulation is important for any sector since uncontrolled market place cannot produce behaviour or results in accordance with. Efforts to improve road safety in kenya achievements and limitations of reforms in the matatu industry. But for matatu drivers and conductors its giving them an. The term matatu is derived from a local kikuyu vernacular word mang. He is passionate about strategic and development communication and has previously worked with the kenya institute of curriculum development and the kenya news agency. The road transport industry is large and wellequipped. Ministry of industry, trade and cooperatives, kenya.
The passenger road transport industry in kenya matatu vehicles dominate the commuter transport in kenya, especially in urban areas. What you need to know about matatu business in kenya. While the cost is hefty, it is easily earned back once the matatu starts collecting passengers. Apr 30, 2011 matatu industry in kenya a study of the performance of owners, workers, and their associations and potential for improvement by orieko chitere. The economic importance of the public service transport in kenya cannot be overstated. The sector also provides large number of employment opportunities from local and international investors. Organisational dynamics in the matatu industry since the official recognition of the matatu means of transport in 1973, the sector grew in significance. The government seeks to protect its citizens from harassment, exploitation and. Paper prepared on ipar policy brief on the matatu industry in kenya. But since public transport is more of a basic requirement, and people need to move from one.
The digital matatus project in nairobi, kenya set out to test whether the. The network is used by approximately 740,000 vehicles with an annual traffic growth rate of around 6%. Matatu business is not hard to start as long as you have money to buy a matatu, pay for insurance, psv license and obey the michuki rules. Matatus are the informal paratransit industry in kenya that provide service to millions of people a day and are essentially the backbone. It should be noted that the kenya national transport and safety authority recently started moving towards publishing matatu route changes as well as information about new matatu. The passenger service vehicle psv sector has always been a lucrative industry to invest in. This was to ensure that the exchequer collected some revenue from the matatu industry.
Matatu industry in kenya 2004 edition open library. If there is a sector in kenya that mints billions of shillings everyday but goes unregulated is the matatu industry in kenya psv. The government of kenya has come up with various laws and regulations for the public transport sector. A visitor to kenya is never short of superlatives when describing his trip. These changes are usually not recorded in the government files. It also involves pimping the matatu with modern digital display gadgets and of course the music they play is also aimed at quickly attracting riders. Public transport in kenya has attracted many policy debates which remain unresolved.
Jul 28, 2014 a bike rider is more at risk than a passenger in a matatu. But matatu culture may soon be under threat from government bans and alternative forms of public transport. On using cars that use less gas, thats for the matatu investors to make the switch and increase on the profits. Operation human resources manual for matatu saccos companies. The organization and future of the matatu industry in nairobi, kenya. Known for its uniqueness, kenya has witnessed a rapid growth over the past 1 years in the matatu culture, and were proud of it. Pdf improving tax compliance in the informal sector. The mwamba matatu plies the komorock to town route and is one of the safest and disciplined matatu saccos in the country. Effect of financial management practices on profitability of. Looming matatu strike as cbd ban takes effect wednesday.
How to tame the rogue matatu industry in kenya and create. Shock of matatu crew breaking the law along moi avenue duration. The astronomical growth of the public service vehicles, particularly that of the matatu transport cooperatives has created challenges of overcrowding in literally all towns in kenya. The passionate tout says colleagues in the industry noticed her determination and advised her to invest in the matatu sector. The sector provides air, water and on land transport services to the kenyan population hence contributing about 10. Formalising the matatu industry in kenya uon repository. The matatu owners employed strategies that can usefully be. Institutions and business strategies of matatu operators. Contributors brighton amwayi a communications graduate with a wealth of experience in the field. Matatu culture photos why we are the best urban kenyans. The matatukenyas colorful carrier watchtower online. Operation human resources manual for matatu saccos. Truth be said, the matatu industry employs hundred of thousand if not millions of jobs in kenya but both the national and county governments gets a meager fraction of the taxes and rates they deserve.
The government seeks to protect its citizens from harassment, exploitation and mistreatment associated with the matatu industry. An elephant matriarch, a majestic lion, and a crimson sunset are vivid images that remain with the traveler. Aug 22, 2017 a kenyan policeman boards a matatu after the vehicle was stopped for a traffic offense. A large and growing informal economy is an issue of concern for many developing countries. Challenges affecting investment in public transport matatu industry in nairobikenya oira, a. One debate which continues to engage policy makers, practitioners and the general public is how to handle the matatus, a form of public transport which has remained resilient to almost all policy responses. Jul 03, 2018 the matatu industry has undergone immense transformation from the unregulated,chaotic 1990s to a more client focused and fairly safe industry. The industry plays a crucial role in mobility and economics of the country although it is often in the limelight for inability to comply with public transport regulations. Sep 17, 2017 a new measure proposed by the nairobi county to decongest the central business district has met resistance, with the matatu industry now threatening to stage a strike to protest its implementation. A kenyan policeman boards a matatu after the vehicle was stopped for a traffic offense. But for matatu drivers and conductors its giving them an edge over intense competition for passengers.
Transport sector in kenya plays a crucial role in the economic development. Regulations in the public transport industry in kenya are in the form of laws and bylaws. Jul 20, 2017 matatu business is not hard to start as long as you have money to buy a matatu, pay for insurance, psv license and obey the michuki rules. This describes nairobis matatu industry, the informal part of the public. The organization and future of the matatu industry in. Formalising the matatu industry in kenya university of nairobi. The matatu sector in kenya has undergone immense transformation, from the unregulated, chaotic 1990s to a more client focused and fairly safe industry. A map of matatu stations in nairobi generated by the digital matatu team throughout, we strategised on how to involve potential users of our data. How graffiti artists are driving the matatu industry in. Oct 08, 20 the goal, according to kevin bett of safaricom, is to convert passengers to internet users. The goal, according to kevin bett of safaricom, is to convert passengers to internet users. It is estimated that there are more than half a million psv matatus that ply our roads every day.
Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The public transport matatus in kenya makes a significant part. A bike rider is more at risk than a passenger in a matatu. But matatu business is lucrative to those who are willing to take the risk and venture into the business. Matatu transport industry in kenya joseph kimani mwangi1, dr robert otuya 2, david k. The friends linked me with sellers of second hand matatus, says wanjiru and adds that in september 2014 she purchased her first matatu at sh270,000. Jan 20, 2020 matatu culture is a system where the matatus are often decorated in graffiti art featuring portraits of famous people or slogans and sayings. This working paper is an analysis of the matatu industry s operations and offers a discussion of how its structure and networks may pose obstacles but also opportunities for transport reform in nairobi, kenya. A history of popular transportation in nairobi kindle edition by mutongi, kenda. A new measure proposed by the nairobi county to decongest the central business district has met resistance, with the matatu industry now threatening. Matatu business is profitable and can make you a millionaire, but you must have solid management skills to penetrate the sophisticated industry. The minimum amount of initial capital you can expect to inject to get your matatu on the road is ksh500,000 assuming you buy an old van which has been used locally for several years. A case study report dorothy mccormick university of nairobi winnie mitullah university of nairobi preston chitere university of nairobi risper orero kenya methodist university marilyn ommeh university of nairobi november, 20.
Matatu industry in kenya a study of the performance of owners, workers, and their associations and potential for improvement by orieko chitere. Mordernization of matatu industry in kenya youtube. Every matatu driver has been in jail at least once, says james kariuki, a 20year veteran of the industry. Public transport is mainly provided informally by private operators in major cities in africa. Company is working in general business business activities. The organization and future of the matatu industry in nairobi. The matatu industry is part of the kenya private sector economy.
Sep 09, 2019 known for its uniqueness, kenya has witnessed a rapid growth over the past 1 years in the matatu culture, and were proud of it. The technology modernising kenyas matatus bbc news. Kenya that provide service to millions of people a day. Then, it proceeds to present findings on motorized transport access, commute modes, commute times, and the matatu market in urban kenya.
Feb 05, 2018 black label kenyas matatu industry nairobi explorer. Black label kenyas matatu industry nairobi explorer. Over the years, this sector has remained chaotic and mismanaged and many investors have kept a distance. The matatu is a smallscale public means of transport in kenya. Matatu is a name associated with kenya public transport sector referring mostly to the low capacity public service vehicles. This paper is an analysis of the matatu industry and offers a discussion of how its structure and networks may pose obstacles but also opportunities for transport reform in the capital city of nairobi, located in kenya. Acquiring a matatu for the business requires a minimum initial capital of 500,000ksh. Matatu culture is a system where the matatus are often decorated in graffiti art featuring portraits of famous people or slogans and sayings. Feb 19, 2014 a map of matatu stations in nairobi generated by the digital matatu team throughout, we strategised on how to involve potential users of our data. Challenges affecting investment in public transport matatu industry in nairobi kenya oira, a. Published 2004 by institute of policy analysis and research in nairobi, kenya. Model code of ethics and conduct for transcoop society ltd pdf. Advantages and disadvantages of matatu business venas news.
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