“Why should I stand in line for a matatu when I can buy a car?” remarked a frustrated commuter.
Like many from Generation Z, the daily struggle at matatu stages in town was becoming unbearable.
The long queues, the pushing, and the occasional fights over seats made commuting at night a constant battle.
The matatu stages in Nairobi’s CBD were crowded every evening, especially during rush hour.
Matatus, with their loud music and colorful graffiti, are an iconic part of Nairobi’s culture. But the reality of relying on them for transport was far from ideal.
Sacco-operated matatus were meant to bring some order, but the growing population in the city had overwhelmed the system.
On a typical night, the wait at the stages was long and frustrating.
Commuters would line up for what seemed like an eternity, only to be told that the matatu was full or not coming due to traffic jams.
The situation was made worse by rogue drivers who skipped official stages to pick up passengers elsewhere, leaving those in line stranded and angry.
Faced with this daily struggle, the idea of buying a car seemed increasingly appealing.
The cost of a vehicle seemed worth the comfort and convenience of avoiding the matatu chaos.
No more crowded queues, no more unpredictable schedules鈥攋ust the freedom of driving home in peace.
This sentiment was shared by many in Generation Z, who were losing patience with the matatu system.
The once-proud matatu culture was losing its appeal, as efficiency, time, and comfort became more important.
With ride-sharing apps and boda bodas on the rise, owning a car was seen as the ultimate solution.
The thought of never standing in another matatu queue brought a sense of relief.
The convenience and freedom of having a car seemed worth every shilling.
As the commuter joined the long line that night, it was clear that this would be the last time without a plan to change the situation.
