- A matatu crew operating on the Uthiru–CBD route attempted to force passengers to alight at Westlands, mid-journey
- The passengers refused to disembark, demanding to be taken to their original destination or police station
- A video shared online captured the standoff with Kenyans sharing similar experiences with different matatus
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Drama unfolded inside a Nairobi matatu when passengers refused to disembark mid-journey, as instructed by the driver and conductor.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, May 20, when the matatu crew demanded that passengers travelling from Uthiru to the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) alight at Westlands instead.
In a video shared on Facebook, passengers were heard complaining and insisting they would not get off before reaching their final destination.
“You are being rude, and you will still take us to town. We will not alight from this bus. It’s either you take us to the police station or get us to town,” one voice was heard saying.
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The passengers stood their ground and overpowered the matatu crew, who reportedly turned back to Uthiru.
However, they eventually agreed to complete the trip to town as originally planned, though many passengers remained annoyed.
Upon arrival in the city centre, the angry commuters allegedly informed others about the incident and publicly called out the crew for misconduct.
Reports indicate that the specific matatu was barred from picking up any more passengers for the remainder of the day.
Netizens laud Nairobi passengers
Social media users shared similar experiences, calling for stronger action against individual crew members and praising the passengers for standing up for their rights.
JayJay Waziri Karuoyah:
“Experienced the same with another one to Makongeni. The bus was full, but they kept stopping at every stage to pick up standing passengers (excess).”
Abel Bitok:
“We need to find a way of punishing those specific individuals instead of penalising the entire SACCO.”
Collins Omondi Okello:
“This is how Kenyans need to act when people’s power is required to fix institutions—like when robbers attack Kenyans in broad daylight, police mistreat citizens unlawfully, county officials act above their power, or politicians break the law openly. Kenya would be a much better place.”
NyarKoyugi Nyamumbo:
“These are real passengers. Here in Nairobi, conductors and drivers treat people like fools. Passengers should always stand up for their rights against this kind of impunity.”
Pauline Mueni:
“Good! That’s the way to deal with matatus that constantly misbehave and treat passengers like fools. Passengers should keep doing this whenever crews attempt to end the journey prematurely or hike fares unnecessarily.”
Kathy Kay:
“Unity is power. Don’t be overcharged while staying silent. Act like this group—when you stand together, there’s no harassment they can do. It’s unfair to pay and then be left halfway.”
Nairobi passengers’ revolt as tout charges extra fare
In other news, TUKO.co.ke reported that a video went viral on social media showing passengers confronting a matatu tout.
The drama unfolded when passengers became enraged after the tout charged them an extra KSh 20 on top of the fare.
The passengers rejected his demand to charge them more a move that ignited wide spread reactions on social media.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
