Various matatu Saccos operating within Nairobi have attributed the worsening disorder on Kenyan roads to widespread corruption, allegedly facilitated by traffic police officers and county traffic marshals.
Saccos also report being compelled to pay daily and monthly fees to ensure smooth operation, amounts they say are extorted under the guise of “protection.”
County traffic marshals, commonly referred to as kanjos, have also joined in the racket and are strategically positioned in the city demanding pay from operators.
Interviews with officials from several Saccos reveal the enormous sums of money collected from them, allegedly lining the pockets of both police officers and county marshals deployed to control traffic in the city.
A manager from one of the leading Saccos operating between the city centre and Ngong Road disclosed that the extortion scheme is deeply entrenched. Approximately 10 Saccos serve the route.
The official claimed that traffic officers along the route demand bribes ranging between Sh200 to Sh1,000. “Every matatu is expected to pay a protection fee of Sh1,000 per week. Non-compliance leads to harassment,” he said.
With approximately 200 vehicles operating along the route, the weekly amount extorted totals around Sh200,000, translating to about Sh800,000 per month. When factoring in additional, often arbitrary charges, the figure rises significantly.
“In total, matatus plying the Ngong Road route lose an estimated Sh41 million annually to daily bribes,” he said.
The net effect, Saccos say, is a breakdown in discipline on city roads. Police officers, having received their cut, relax enforcement of traffic regulations, allowing unroadworthy vehicles and rogue drivers to operate unchecked. “That’s why you’ll find vehicles without valid documents or crews mistreating passengers. There’s no incentive to follow the rules when enforcement is corrupt,” noted another official.
“A small offence can drag on for six months, with multiple court appearances, loss of work and income. So many opt to pay a bribe and avoid the hassle. It’s not the right thing to do, but in a broken system, it feels like the only viable option,” explained Wilfred Bosire, a transport sector stakeholder.