As a vast majority of Nairobi residents use matatus to commute to and from the city, the safety of this mode of transport is of utmost necessity.
However, it is widely noted that a gang of matatu operators is notorious for manning stages in various routes and goes beyond to dictate which matatus will operate from that spot.
In a city grappling with terrorism and escalating cases of hijackings, is it safe for a person to travel using Public Service Vehicles? Or is it the only means of transport for the majority?
However, in a major blow to the organised crime, a joint operation by police drawn from various units has resulted in the arrest of 18 suspected criminals in Eastleigh and Pumwani. The suspects are alleged to have been illegally manning stages and engaging in other organized crimes.
Ajoint operation by @DCI_Kenya,@APSKenya & @PoliceKE has resulted in the arrest of 18 suspected criminals in #Eastleigh & Pumwani.The suspects have been illegally manning stages & engaging in other organized crimes. To be arraigned in court tomorrow. Huge blow to organized crime! pic.twitter.com/mXLvPyBISt— DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) April 17, 2019
Police say that the suspects will will be arraigned court to be charged.
The gang are notorious for luring passengers with low prices where the stage boys will tell you the fare charges is Sh100, and immediately the Matatu leaves the stage with passengers inside seated, the fare is hiked to Sh150.
If you protest, you are physically harassed by the conductors and the young men who ride standing at the entrance.
You beg to be dropped so that you can go for another matatu, they abuse you, sometimes grab the only fare you have and leave you stranded.
Other commuters have found themselves in the past being pushed out while the vehicle is in motion.
Most commuters are afraid to talk, due to fear that some of these young men managing the stages are members of the Mungiki Sect.