Matatu idiots should not be tolerated!

Happy New Year. I set this blog perhaps too early in the day, but then again, I was very optimistic about the new year. So as I worked a little harder over the normally "dry" newsroom season in December, I think the only thing I thought about was to go slow on the writing.
Now, I am happy the season is over, but sad, very sad, that some idiots have decided to mess my new year.
Day One at work, January 4, and I am not able to make it to work. It's because the public transport has been paralyzed after the operators of kenya's public minivans (matatus) decided to flex their muscles. They say the police are extorting money from them.
Yes, in Kiswahili we say, mtenda akitendewa, huona kaonewa. That loosely translates to when you do it it is right, but when it is done unto you, ouch ouch ouch you scream....yeah this brings to mind the cliche' that the pot calling the kettle black.
The matatus operate in a liberalised economy. The fares, although having a certain minimum are erratic given the forces of supply and demand...high fares at rushhour, low fares at (what's the opposite of rush hour?). And when it rains, they overcharge because they are likely to be held in traffic. Well, they do make hay, not only when the sun shines, but when they think they can.
So, what's my point? Fry the buggers Mr Police Commissioner. Let them strike, let them park their vehicles. We don't mind, at least I don't, I will walk all the kilometres from my place on Thika Road to Town or if I get tired, I will hop into the few operating matatus or hitch a lift from those with cars, pay whatever amounts they'll be charging.
But at least I will be sure about one thing: they won't play loud music in the car, they won't abuse me (for giving them pesa kubwa) if I give them say, Sh200 for them to take Sh50 as fare, in the morning. They also won't splash muddy water on my cheap and fading trousers and they won't pack us inside the vehicles whenever some other idiot in a hurry insists on boarding a vehicle that's already full.
Just pump some discipline on these fellas.
And just who does this Dickson Mbugua think he is? A chairman of workers he may be, but you don't SABOTAGE THE ECONOMY. Never! Where are these publicity-seeking lawyers to go to court over this. Omtata, my man, why don't you move to court...yea yea yea.. dont tell me it is the police taking the bribes, or extorting the crew, these fellas dont want to follow the simple rules. And they do take the bribes anyway.
The matatu owners, through Simon Kimutai insist that they are bogged down by insurance costs and bank loans for their vehicles. And the bugger just thinks, well, it is alright, as long as "we" (him and his crew of workers) paralyse transport because they dont want to follow the law.
During Michuki time in 2003-2004, we trekked. we don't mind doing it again until , "sanity returns to our roads" ...forgive the cliche.
PS1: Thanks Mr Vice President for being the first to speak out. For the first time, I saw seriousness, even pain, really empathy, in your eyes as you (did you appeal?) to the matatu fellas to put their vehicles back on the roads? How about you go to Cabinet the day after tomorrow and ask the President to consider reviving Nyayo Bus on all routes...private investment on public transport is a failure.
PS2: Kwendo Opanga, thanks a bunch for your empathy and solidarity with the souls of ordinary Kenyans, "nuff" respect" for your stand. See: http://www.nation.co.ke/oped/Opinion/-/440808/834860/-/5pp72v/-/index.html



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

This is Louis --that interview with artists was tight!

Louis Otieno is one of the few broadcasters I do enjoy watching. Of course (I like that word alot), there is Rama Nyang' and Jeff Koinange. So, I am not talking about broadcasters today, so I will not list all my favourites. That's a story for another day. So, when he moved to K24 from Citizen TV, Louis moved with his name which is already a brand in media circles. He hosts a weekly talkshow, really a discussion like that of CNN's Larry King, that is not only informative, but truly resonates with the people of Kenya. So here he was this Wednesday night with leading artists in Kenya, the cream of the entertainers of this country. There was Nameless and Juacali (all musicians), the talented Arthur K. (a TV music producer), Larry Asego and Kajairo (influential radio personalities in their own right) and one Ben Njiru, a man in a smart suit, I don't know who he is. The chitchat focused on the constitution. But then there was the usual bibble-babble about being left out of t...
Read more

LONG READ: The YALI Experience in 3,200 Words

Image
There are lessons you are inadvertently taught when you are a 35-year-old being forced to sit in the same class with an 18-year-old. Imagine someone who is half your age, with less of life experiences sitting by your side, being taught the things you should have learned eighteen years ago. You feel a little jealous that you were not told these things early enough; that some people are just lucky. But you also feel hopeful that a young generation is being made to learn about better ideals of leadership, and what a good society should look like. It is also somewhat shameful that you haven’t really done a lot to ‘change lives’, and in a country with a life expectancy of 61 years such as Kenya, you take a silent vow – the things you tell your heart and your mind and your conscience— to use the remaining part of your life to change the world. Your world. But when you sit in that class with an open mind, to learn not just from the lecturers but also from your colleagues, both the one...
Read more

Order! You two principals!

I am not a prophet. But I know two things about the President and his men: they believe they are the law, and if not, they believe they are above the law. I spend most of my time in Parliament and that is not something to smile about. A friend of mine, George, joked that I spend my time “surrounded by 222 idiots”. “How do you survive?” he asked. Being a journalist, I looked at him. Is this guy trying the ‘show-me-your-friend-and-I-will-tell-you-who –you-are’ thing on me? But then I laughed it off. But, kindly indulge me. The President submits names to Parliament. The Prime Minister makes a lot of noise about being left out of the loop and asks the Speaker not to accept the President’s nominees. So, the Speaker is harassed for sometime to make crucial decisions. He ponders about it; buys time “hoping” the President and the PM will sit and agree. The duo fail to agree and say, “On the Issue of the nominations to fill State offices currently under consideration by Parliament, the two ...
Read more