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.
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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.