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Any time a player in the vast matatu industry is touched by any force outside the industry, its management swings into action, calls a press conference to condemn the perceived attack or mobilizes its members to a go-slow until their demands are met.
However, the industry seems to have totally neglected a key player, who is the reason for the industry's survival; the passenger.
In the history of the go-slows that the industry has ever staged, none has ever been triggered by a matter of passengers' interests.
Snatching of passengers' personal effects aboard PSVs by criminals, for example, has been on the rise in certain hot-spot areas during rush hours in Nairobi.
The media has even highlighted many incidents, showing not only the most dangerous spots but also how passengers lose their effects to snatchers.
As much as I do not advocate for protests, the matatu industry should be at the front line in condemning these activities, which leave passengers traumatized.
The industry should also work closely with law enforcers to ensure passengers are well protected as they commute from place to place.
