page_title: Matatu
hierarchical_section_title: Matatu
caption_attribution_description: Matatu - openbaar vervoer in Kenia
context_page_description: In Kenya matatu or matatus are privately owned minibuses, although pick-up trucks and estate cars were in the past pressed into service as these Kenyan share taxis. Often decorated, many matatu feature portraits of famous people or slogans and sayings. Likewise, the music they play is also aimed at quickly attracting riders.
  Although their origins can be traced back to the 1960s, matatu saw growth in Kenya in the 1980s and 1990s, and by the early 2000s the archetypal form was a Japanese microvan. C. 2015, larger, bus-sized vehicles also started to be pressed into service as matatu.
  These minibuses ply set routes, run from termini, and are used for both inter- and intra-city travel. In addition to a driver, matatu may be staffed by a conductor, locally known as a makanga or manamba or donda.
  As of 1999, they were the only form of public transport available in Nairobi, Kenya, although in 2006 and 2008 this was no longer the case.
  Over the years, stiff competition is being experienced from bus-sharing applications such as SWVL.
  The name may also be used in parts of Nigeria.
context_section_description: In Kenya matatu (known as mathree in Sheng) or matatus are privately owned minibuses, although pick-up trucks and estate cars were in the past pressed into service as these Kenyan share taxis. Often decorated, many matatu feature portraits of famous people or slogans and sayings. Likewise, the music they play is also aimed at quickly attracting riders.
  Although their origins can be traced back to the 1960s, matatu saw growth in Kenya in the 1980s and 1990s, and by the early 2000s the archetypal form was a (gaily decorated) Japanese microvan. C. 2015, larger, bus-sized vehicles also started to be pressed into service as matatu.
  These minibuses ply set routes, run from termini, and are used for both inter- and intra-city travel. In addition to a driver, matatu may be staffed by a conductor, locally known as a makanga or manamba or donda.
  As of 1999, they were the only form of public transport available in Nairobi, Kenya, although in 2006 and 2008 this was no longer the case.
  Over the years, stiff competition is being experienced from bus-sharing applications such as SWVL.
  The name may also be used in parts of Nigeria.
caption: Riding in a Kenyan matatu – minibus size
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