This archive report was first published on 23 August 2020.
Crime on public transport remains a pressing concern in Kenya, with many residents falling victim to robbery and theft while using matatus.
According to recent news reports, routes such as Waiyaki Way, Thika Road, and Mombasa Road have been among the worst-hit, with multiple cases of matatus being hijacked and passengers robbed.
One common scenario involves opportunistic petty thieves who target open windows, often snatching phones, bags, and other items from passengers before running off.
For instance, the roundabout towards Muthurwa Market in the Nairobi CBD has been a hub for such muggings, with thieves taking advantage of drivers' focus on the road.
Another common scenario involves passengers being robbed by armed hijackers in the middle of the journey, with 14-seater matatus plying the Kangemi-Nairobi route being caught up in several such incidents in recent months.
One passenger, Lynn, shared her harrowing experience of being robbed in June after boarding a matatu from Westlands to Nairobi.
"You get in the matatu and everything seems normal. There was two empty spaces and it was late, so when I boarded it was almost already full," she stated.
"We got to one of the footbridges and suddenly a man with a gun stood up and pointed it at us. Another passenger suddenly followed him with a large black trash bag and we were told to put our phones and wallets inside. They left us at the footbridge and left," she revealed, adding that the matatu crew was in on the plan the whole time.
Passengers are advised to board trusted matatus with clear organisational structures, registration details, and communication channels in case of any issue.
They are also advised to contact the police at the first sign of trouble.
File image of matatus on the streets of Nairobi.
Image: Vehicles on the busy Thika superhighway around Mountain Mall.
