Date Posted: 3/16/2012 11:43:21 AM
Posted By: SimonMburu Membership Level: Silver Total Points: 838
Matatu, as we know it has been the most basic means of transport in almost every city and town in Kenya. The industry began back in the 1970's just after Kenya has obtained it's independence from the British colony, the first vehicle makes to dominate the industry were the Volkswagen vans then followed by the Nissan. Later came the 25 and 44 sitters locally known as 'manyanga', they are famous for the embracement of the infamous 'matatu culture'. The culture involves customizing the vehicles (matatus) with graffiti, loud 'thick' music, big rear tires, big saggy bumpers and other attractive modifications. This dominated the industry in the 90''s and towards the beginning of the 21st century big screens and DVD players were also embraced to give entertainment to the commuters. This kind of entertainment was a big attraction to the youth and most of the time they could talk about which estate has got the 'illest' 'mathree' (sheng). Nowadays the culture is common to every city and town in Kenya and you will even notice that 'uncustomized ones' don't get customers at the bus stage. We all love the culture, that one I have no doubt.With the traffic jams and congestion across our cities the ministry of public transport wants to phase out all 14 sitters which occupy about 80 percent of the public transport vehicles. This will affect many people as the incoming 25 sitters will be taking too much time to fill therefore wasting a lot of time. The matatu culture will also be at its last moments as it will succumb to the upcoming rules of traffic. There was a hearsay that the graffiti on these vehicles hinders the attention of motorists leading to fatal accidents on our highways, issues like this one if embraced to become law are likely to kill and bury the matatu culture.
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