Nairobi Residents Rank Best Matatu Saccos

Matatu Bus Stop Sign at GPO Stage, Along Kenyatta Avenue in Nairobi. Monday, October 21, 2019
Matatu Bus Stop Sign at GPO Stage, Along Kenyatta Avenue in Nairobi. Monday, October 21, 2019
Kenyans.co.ke

Not everything about the public transport vehicles in general and matatus in particular, is negative, as some of the matatu Saccos in Nairobi have received positive reviews by commuters.

Over the years, some of these matatus have built a reputation as simply the best in terms of customer service and user experience.

Kenyans.co.ke spoke to several residents from around the capital in a bid to establish which matatu saccos stand out as 'the best' based on personal experiences.

According to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), they have only 272 registered matatu Saccos operating in the capital.

File image of Ngong Matatus on Wednesday, February 10, 2021
File image of Ngong Matatus on Wednesday, February 10, 2021

However, records by City Hall indicate that there are 692 registered matatu Saccos in Nairobi, meaning 420 are not registered by NTSA.

According to NTSA regulations, for a matatu Sacco to be registered, it must have a minimum number of 30 PSVs.

Here's a look at some of the ones that received raving reviews.

Super Metro (Nairobi-Kikuyu-Juja-Ngong)

On February 10, 2021, hundreds of commuters were stranded in Ngong after matatus went on strike over the entry of Super Metro vehicles into the Nairobi-Ngong route.

A Super Metro matatu pictured along Maragua Lane in Nairobi.
A Super Metro matatu pictured along Maragua Lane in Nairobi.
File

This was viewed by most as a testament to the sacco's reputation as one of the best in the city.

A long queue of passengers waiting for the next available matatu is usually a good indicator of a commuter's review of that particular matatu.

In that case, the queue that snakes its way along Maragua Lane, next to the Kenya National Archives everyday places Super Metro among the best matatus in the city.

"They always get to their destination in terms of drop off point along Maragua Lane despite the amount of traffic. That is why I always use this particular matatu," a Juja resident explained.

Orokise Sacco (Nairobi- Bomas to Ongata Rongai)

This is probably the only matatu sacco that welcomed the entry of Super Metro matatus to the infamous route.

The matatus plying this route are known for disregarding traffic rules, even in the presence of the police manning the roads - right from Railway Station, Lang'ata, Bomas up to Kiserian.  

"The conductors charge what they feel like charging," a Rongai resident explained.

"The only exception matatus are the Orokise Sacco Matatus, which at least are orderly and respect passengers," she added.

River of God (ROG) (Town-Outering-Buruburu)

Conductors on this particular Sacco have built a reputation for themselves as kind and helpful when it comes to helping commuters who are unfamiliar with the route.

Known for its unique choice of music during morning and evening rush hour, most commuters are willing to wait in line for the next one as opposed to hopping on other matatus plying the same route.

Neatness and the clean-nature of its operators has also been mentioned as a key reason behind its loyal following.

Zuri (Nairobi-Roysambu-Mirema-Kahawa)

Parked along Tom Mboya street, the matatus in this sacco are also highly praised for their hygiene levels.

A Zuri Sacco matatu.
A Zuri Sacco matatu.
File

Described as 'super clean with disciplined conductors' this matatus that ply along the busy Thika Superhighway have made a name for themselves as among the best in the city.

Zuri matatus are also renowned for their choice of soothing music as opposed to the popular club bangers blasting off in matatus belonging to rival saccos along the route.

MSL (Kasarani-Town)

These matatus are parked along Tom Mboya Street next to the Zuri Sacco matatus.

Plying a route known for ear-splitting music, matatus under this Sacco have carved out a name for themselves by being one of the few that rarely play any music.

There is usually a long queue of passengers waiting for the next available matatu despite the presence of competitors plying the same route across the street.

Other saccos that received raving reviews included: Walokana (Town-Kabete-Kitisuru-Westlands-Wangige), Lopha Travelers (Town-Limuru-Ruiru).

Matatus caught up in a traffic snarl-up at Tom Mboya street near Khoja/Old Mutual terminus
Matatus caught up in a traffic snarl-up at Tom Mboya street near Khoja/Old Mutual terminus in May 2020.
Photo
Ma3Route