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The words 'matatu tout' leave one with a mental picture of a shabbily dressed man, probably chewing on miraa while hanging precariously from the matatu door. Once in a while he will bang on the side of the public service vehicle while shouting himself hoarse to attract potential passengers.
But a new matatu culture is emerging, where touting is assuming respectable standards. Most matatus plying the Ongata Rongai, Githurai and Eastlands routes are pimped up - giant TV screens, blaring music, Wi-Fi and creative graffiti are the common features.
In addition, well-dressed touts, some with well-kept and clean dreadlocks, can be seen calling on passengers at the city's bus stops.
New crop
Cate, 25, is a resident of Kiserian. She admits that the new crop of touts are quite attractive and sometimes struggles to understand why they are working as touts in the first place.
"Most of them are kind and even gently hold your hands to help you alight. And their vehicles play good music," she says.
This is probably a complete departure from the touts of yore who were loathed for among other misbehaviour, groping women, lusting openly at them or making lewd comments.
The city's matatu sector is one of the most competitive in the country. As a result, brainy matatu owners must invest dearly to make their vehicles attractive.
This includes throwing in amenities such as free Wi-Fi and employing charming operators.
Unlike before, a number of the current touts are paid a salary and commission when they help to make good money.
And despite the bad press their job has been receiving, the current crop is trying to demystify the notion that touts are just a lazy bunch of failures.
Work hard
Most of these touts have families and work hard like any other person out there who is serious about providing for their loved ones.
"We have realised that younger women are comfortable boarding vehicles run by gentle "swaggerific" touts or bus conductors and we are embracing that," says James, a fleet manager.
Some matatus are even hiring touts who are assigned to specific vehicles on the route.
Kevin, commonly known as Kevo, is a tout in a matatu plying the Ongata Rongai route. He admits that touting is finally shaping up into something respectable.
