Signal Nairobi's Matatu System and the Future of African Transit — Urban Research

Summary

Nairobi's informal matatu minibus system, comprising some 20,000 vehicles that typically carry 14 to 33 passengers each, carries more than 70% of the city's daily commuters. The sector employs an estimated 200,000 people, including drivers, vehicle artists, and operators, serving a city whose population has surpassed 4.5 million. As of 2024, Nairobi had more than 700 registered Saccos, or transport cooperatives, managing matatu routes, with fares ranging from roughly KES 30 to 100 (about $0.20 to $0.70). A 2023 report found matatus involved in over 30% of urban traffic accidents, within a country where the WHO estimates more than 3,000 road deaths annually. Individual matatu customization, including elaborate sound systems, can cost more than $30,000 per vehicle.