Efforts by government over the years to streamline the sector have failed, with the industry players seen to outwit the authorities at every turn. The matatu sector traces its history to the early 1970s but it was not until 1984 that even the most basic regulatory framework was laid out, when licensing and inspections were introduced. Take a surveyToday, an individual matatu must be associated with one of over 600 registered savings and credit societies (Saccos) in the transport sector to be able to operate on specified routes. But the industry has a long value chain, with a single matatu arguably feeding more than five families in the capital. “The owner of the matatu wants money at the end of the day, he won’t care about customer satisfaction,” says Job Omingo, a tout plying the Nairobi Mlolongo route.

Source: Standard Digital April 24, 2021 21:00 UTC