The proposal by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to stop matatus from increasing fares is an overreach, I think. Despite matatus operating under the licence of public motor vehicle, they are, in fact, largely privately owned.

The only semblance of a publicly owned matatu was the National Youth Service (NYS) buses. That is why those buses could afford to set a lower price limit. However, despite the competitive fares, NYS buses struggled to thrive due to funding issues to keep them in good mechanical shape.

Driving in Kenya is no mean feat. Nairobi takes that challenge to another level. When it rains in the city, traffic congestion gets worse. This is mostly due to lack of a proper drainage system to keep roads clear of water for vehicles to move freely. Traffic jams in Nairobi are legendary. They have the ability to keep cars stationed in one place for longer than one wishes. Nairobi traffic police also add to the nightmare of traffic congestion with their bribe-taking tactics that slow down motorists. Yet, it is much easier for vehicles to move seamlessly by use of traffic lights.

Matatus get stuck in traffic like all other vehicles. This means high fuel consumption, and this in turn makes running costs unpredictable. There is also the issue of wear and tear. Matatus need to be repaired frequently to enable them to be in proper shape to transport passengers safely.

Flooded roads

The time wasted by matatus on the roads due to flooded roads that cause traffic jams can only be offset by an increase in fare. That is because matatus cannot move back and forth as fast as they would during the dry season to make a profit. The time stuck in traffic during the rainy season can be very long depending on the routes.

Some routes cover roads that are not tarmacked, which presents an additional challenge. If they are lucky, some matatus might make one or two trips if the weather is bad. Therefore, they must find ways to offset such losses during the rainy season, and the only way to do so is to increase fares temporarily.

In an ideal situation where the road networks are well-structured, rain should not interfere with traffic. However, stormwater slows down traffic, which is why a robust drainage system is important. Another issue is the use of traffic lights to guide vehicles. And the vehicles that are on the roads should also be in good condition to withstand any weather conditions. Therefore, it is important to ensure that only roadworthy vehicles are on the roads in order to minimise the number of breakdowns that lead to slow traffic.

Many a time, the government and its agencies find it easier to apportion blame elsewhere rather than at their desks. The transport and infrastructure policies that continue to be made in Kenya are rarely intended to tackle the challenges of driving in cities or those brought by bad weather. The roads designed since independence are largely substandard, as they turn into lakes and rivers whenever it rains because there are limited options for the rainwater to be drained out quickly.

As always, it is easier for the government to turn to punitive measures against the public or service users when things go wrong, even though the fault lies with the authorities. Investment in roads and other transport networks is crucial to keeping towns and cities moving seamlessly. Keeping people moving saves time and, in turn, boosts the economy.

According to ResearchGate, Nairobi residents lose 1–2 hours to traffic every day, costing the local economy an estimated Sh37 billion every year. This is the sort of money that could easily be spent on establishing a rapid transport system for the city.

Losing game

The express train from Nairobi to Mombasa was established in record time. Allegations of bribery and overspending aside, the project got off to a flying start. So why is there a delay in establishing a rapid transport system for Nairobi?

While the idea of an underground system in the city is welcome, I fear it could just be rhetoric. I would prefer to see the government take a proactive approach to improving the public transport system rather than attempting to do something new.

NTSA’s attempt to interfere with the fare system set by matatus is a losing game, as the road networks in Kenya are deplorable. The agency is better placed to advocate for improvement of our roads, or setting up of an alternative system that will decongest the city, such as the Rapid Transport System and the underground trains.

Matatus are not ideal as a public transport system, but they have done their best to keep the city moving. The law to hinder temporary fare hikes by matatus is a waste of time and unnecessary punishment of matatu owners.

Kenya just needs to get serious about establishing a better and more reliable public transport system.

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Ms Guyo is a legal researcher, kdiguyo@gmail.com, @kdiguyo