Oh, yes. You point out the link between housing and transportation, and how the cartels managing these two sectors are rogue, and working in tandem.
Let's face it, Matatus dont particularly target those living in abject poverty, or the very wealthy living in the leafy suburbs..
Let's face it, Matatus dont particularly target those living in abject poverty, or the very wealthy living in the leafy suburbs..
The guy living hand to mouth in Kibera or Mathare walks to work. The guy living in Karen has a driver/cars. And then, there's Uber et al.
Matatu cartels target those living where housing is "affordable", but Uber/private cars are untenable for most.
Matatu cartels target those living where housing is "affordable", but Uber/private cars are untenable for most.
Most people are forced to move to Eastlands, or the outskirts of the city. Few people can afford to drive daily, or take Uber et al daily from Kitengela, Rongai, Kahawa West. Uber/taxis dont like going to Eastlands & other "unsafe" places after dark/early in the morning...
...when fares would be cheaper. So most are forced to take Matatus as their only choice. Peak fares to Rongai, Ngong, Kahawa West, Kitengela etc are not 30bob a pop. This is where these cartels (housing and transport) are making their killing.
Push people from walking-distance housing by hiking rents so high, force them to live in far-flung areas where rents are "more affordable", then squeeze their collective balls by putting them under the mercy of private transport cartels, narrow their choices through insecurity..
...so that they can't afford/opt for Uber/taxi guy etc and are forced to rely on matatus & body boda (who are themselves a rogue cartel). Neoliberalism at its best.
Of course, matatu will hike fares and blame govt for hiking petrol prices - all the while, the two are bedfellows.
Of course, matatu will hike fares and blame govt for hiking petrol prices - all the while, the two are bedfellows.
And then, charge whatever fares you wish. That's why you'll here "Kasarani mia" the moment a drop of rain falls from the sky, or "Ronga mia mbili". Which seems reasonable for a "squad" that will spend 2 hours in traffic one-way because of a chaotic traffic system! No winning!
And dare you complain if the rogue driver (yes, "not all drivers", I know) keeps overlapping, driving dangerously, or if the conductor refuses to give you change-ya-thao. I've heard chilling stories of peeps being pushed out of moving matatus on Thika Rd. Chilling.
Their crime? Requesting for the music to be turned down a bit. Questioning excessive overlapping/dangerous driving. Calling out a rogue conductor with roving hands that like to do a "sweep" on one's breasts. Asking for change. In short, talking & breathing in a moving matatu.
So you create compliance via threat of violence. Wonder why people in matatus don't "speak up" when something atrocious occurs? You need to understand the levels of trauma, some of it severe, that people face in public transport. Do you have a car? Thank the Lorde.
If you've not faced humiliation, physical assault, sexual abuse, verbal abuse, psychological trauma in public transport, please don't castigate those who have. I have personally caught a man rubbing his bare penis on my bottom, through his zipper, in a packed train.
The jerking movement of the train, plus the jostling of people, did not allow him to ejaculate on me, but I caught him after feeling all the fidgeting. I was so shocked, more so by his deadpan face, like, yeah, that's not really my penis down there rubbing on you.
But I personally know many women who have had strange men ejaculate on their backsides in trains. I've heard of women bearing the shock of men exposing themselves and wanking, right next to them, in matatus. It is humiliating, disgusting, shocking.
You try to speak up, you're attracting drama. You get shut down via insults.
So I never judge people in public transport who keep silent in the face of brutish behaviour. We have internalised abuse so much, we rarely speak up.
So I never judge people in public transport who keep silent in the face of brutish behaviour. We have internalised abuse so much, we rarely speak up.
{And if you, who is privileged enough is not speaking out in the face of systemic, political injustice, what make you think the less privileged matatu-riding populace should succeed where you have failed, do the dirty work of protesting, when you won't? Body politics much?}
Anywho, we were talking about public transport, abuse - in the light of fare hikes. And long commutes. And how fares will be hiked, and how we will dig deeper to pay more, just to be abused by these housing/transport/(in)security cartels that are laughing their way to the bank.
While we are left nursing bruised cajones.
