Matatus asking for fairness? Not when they treat us so badly

The Kenyan Matatu scene is synonymous with flouting rules as the system is controlled by cartels. [File, Standard]

Without qualm, my position is that Kenya’s public transport sector employs an assortment of the most uncouth, undisciplined and inconsiderate individuals. But to be fair, there are a few good- natured individuals whose goodness is swamped by the mischief of the majority. That is why I was stupefied to hear senior officials of the Matatu Owners Associations call for fairness from the government following the introduction of the National Youth Service (NYS) buses on some routes in a pilot scheme; a move that undercut their lucrative business.

A few days ago, the same officials, clearly not having read the public mood and woken up to smell the coffee, demanded talks with the government over the NYS buses. Impudence doesn’t come worse than that, because our public transport industry is ‘unfairness’ personified. In case matatu owners forgot, public transport is the province of the government and them, squatters.