By Mark Mutahi
A leading matatu Sacco in Nairobi County has sacked one of its drivers for being too professional and careful on the road.
One of the Sacco officials accused the driver of being too different from the rest of matatu drivers and, therefore, a disgrace to the sector.
Profits
“He refuses to stop at undesignated places to pick passengers. He he doesn’t overlap. He doesn’t overload. If he won’t overload, how does he expect the matatu owner to make profits? We cannot keep such an incompetent and irresponsible fellow,” the official announced.
Colleagues of the sacked driver also levelled a lot of criticism against him.
“He even indicates when changing lanes,” a colleague was quoted saying. “Seriously, who does that anymore? That’s killing the battery!”
The now jobless man was also accused of putting fellow matatu drivers in a difficult situation since passengers expected them to behave like him. They complained that the man was turning the sector upside down.
“Passengers were beginning to expect the same conduct from other drivers. I am telling you if he had been allowed a little more time to operate, he would have led us down the drain. We have our own rules and we adhere to them strictly,” he added.
Officials at the Sacco also accuse him of spoiling his conductor.
“The conductor was previously rude and uncouth to passengers, which is the appropriate standard, but after some time, he started changing, addressing passengers respectively. That’s what broke the camel’s back. We couldn’t let a ruffian be turned into a softie just like that.
“This business is for the rough and tough. It has come this far by terrorising passengers and instilling fear in them. If you start becoming sentimental with your customers, they will ride roughshod over you!” warned the official. “Besides it is confusing and shocking to the passengers who don’t expect any better from our industry.”
