The Nairobi ‘matatu’ industry is notorious for its unforgiving chaos. It is a scene of theatrics, sometimes life-threatening, where passengers are often left to their own devices amid the ‘vrooming’ turbulence.
Barely a month ago, a passenger riding a Super Metro ‘matatu’ tragically died after allegedly being pushed from the moving vehicle. However, in a complete contrast to this tragic incident, a Friday evening act by a matatu crew saved a woman’s life after a near death experience. She lived to tell the story. One moment, she was riding home; the next, she gained consciousness in a medical emergency bed, with the ‘matatu’ tout standing by her side like the Biblical Good Samaritan.
“I am happy that people still have humanity. Strangers who took it upon themselves to help me without any payment—it is true good people still exist,” said Viola Nekesa, reflecting on the matatu crew selfless rescue when her health failed.
The Nairobi ‘matatu’ industry is notorious for its unforgiving chaos. It is a scene of theatrics, sometimes life-threatening, where passengers are often left to their own devices amid the ‘vrooming’ turbulence.
By Flavier Momanyi