Matatu
A matatu is a shared taxi in Kenya and Uganda and Kenya's main public transport services. The staff of a car usually consists of a driver and a companion, the Makanga, sometimes called Manamba whose job consists primarily to cash in on the passengers.
Term
The name derives from the Swahili phrase "ma tatu " - "for three " from. This was three shillings meant a fee which for each route was during the colonial period in Nairobi alike. Today Matatu is often also associated with the likewise derived from the Swahili word " Matata " ( problem) in connection because the matatu noise, overpricing and overcrowding are attributed as the characteristic problems.
Function and organization
Meanwhile ride matatus not only in the city but also in the country. Formerly it was in the vehicles mostly Peugeot pickups with mounted cabin, now mostly by 16 - seater Nissan minibuses with four seats for three and the rear bench seat for four people. In Uganda, there are mainly 15 - seater Toyota buses. The trolley ride fixed routes that are usually written on the body.
Matatus not stop at predetermined stops, but on the needs of one or disembarking passengers. Urban driving in Nairobi cost depends on the destination and time of day between 20 and 100 Kenyan shillings. So rides are cheaper than inner city driving during rush hour in the slums.
The drivers usually work either independently with a rental car, or as employees. In this case, the vehicle owner is usually a fixed price, for example, 3,000 shillings a day to make, as the employer, the benefits can hardly control. Any excess revenue goes to the driver and Makanga.
The cars are often owned by businessmen who entertain sometimes up to a few hundred matatus. Matatu owners must be members of the matatu association. All matatus must be marked with a thick yellow strip, the driver wearing a blue smock that Makanga a red. These three identifying features have been prescribed along with a speed only a few years ago to curb the proliferation and at least to regulate the transport halfway. Outside is the maximum number specified transport.
Matatus are such a key element of the Kenyan culture of everyday life that they have spawned a variety of legends and modern tales like " The spider from the Yucca ". So warning about a mass emailing sent before the alleged overtures of drivers who poison the passengers from the driver's seat with a syringe and then rob when they are asleep.
Problems
The model, after matatu drivers often have to give a fixed price to the car owners and live on the remaining income on, often resulting in a less indulgent driving style, increased number of accidents and excessive or irregular seat utilization. Within cities Matatus are usually crowded, both by passengers and bulky luggage. However, the controls have been increased since 2004.
Another problem is posed by extortion, which see Matatu operators, but most especially Makangas and drivers faced. Regularly, or even at each passage matatu operators can be stopped in her hometown of local tugs to payments. In and around Nairobi in particular, the Mungiki for protection rackets is known. In addition demands the criminal organization is sometimes to be able to provide either the driver or the Makanga a Matatus itself to participate in daily revenue. The Mungiki, which is recruited from the Kikuyu tribe, has corresponding counterparts in other regions. For example, the Makanga is forced when driving a particular district to a payment of 50 shillings, which will react with non-payment of property damage or personal injury.
Appearance
Several vehicles are, especially in Nairobi, equipped with lighting systems, flickering LED tubes, flat screen TV and music system, similar to the interior of a nightclub. Especially in Nairobi, but also in Mombasa, waving passengers, if they can afford the time, several matatus by and wait a longer time to communicate with the favourisierten music stuck in traffic. Some matatus are back with Christian or humorous sayings such as " God saves you" or " Disco King" provided.