Fraud forces SMEs to slip back to cash payments

Cashless payment used by Matatu Owners Association (MOA) Compliant vehicles in 2014. Cash remains the king in the matatu sector. [File, Standard]

Fear can make even the boldest men shudder. By last year, even the notoriously ungovernable matatu crew strictly adhered to the Covid-19 guidelines given by the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation.

There was fear of arrest or infection with coronavirus. For some time, passengers could pay their bus fares using mobile money such as M-Pesa. It was safe, reducing contact as the exchange of cash was limited.