Resolve. That’s the one word that clearly describes Esther Macharia, a tout with Nairobi’s acclaimed matatu Sacco, Super Metro.
Throughout her entire life, she has also worked hard to better her life and push beyond her limits. The 26-year-old has worked with the Super Metro for nearly four years.
Esther spoke to Kenyans.co.ke, narrating her childhood, education, family background, quitting a law firm and joining Nairobi’s demanding and challenging transport sector.
“Ksh80, Ksh80 tao (Ksh80 to Nairobi CBD),” Esther calls at a terminus along Waiyaki Way. A few parking boys join her with the hope of earning a Ksh10 or Ksh20 for a quick cigarette or a cheap drink at the end of the day.
I hope inside the matatu. For nearly a year, I had seen her and other women operate as touts, commonly known as conductors, but it had never struck me that they always have a story to tell.
She walks around the bus, picking fares and giving back balance. Just like any other tout, she differs with one commuter who argues that he was driven past the stage he was to alight at.
“We’ll get flagged down by the traffic cops if the bus stops along the highway. We only stop at stipulated terminals,” she argues, then wishes him a good day.
While alighting I attempt to get in touch with her, introduce myself briefly and ask her for an interview.
She smiles and says “Later on when we get in touch”. The bus speeds away and I walk towards my workstation, planning on how to catch up with her again.
Two days later, while running errands in CBD, we bump into each other at the National Archives and her bus is next in line for my route. She smiles after recalling that we met a few days ago.
Esther agrees to an interview and her story is a compelling one.
Secretary at a Law Firm
“I have been with the Super Metro for four years now.
“Before working with the Sacco, I used to work in a law firm in the CBD as a secretary and a messenger,” she says.
The law firm deals with land and real estate issues. The 26-year-old says she used to earn around Ksh15,000 per month.
“I was struggling to make ends meet and I wanted a different type of hustle,” she adds.
Super Metro Tout
Her inspiration to join Super Metro was derived from seeing a lady tout working in one of the buses. Esther was then a 22-year-old woman.
“I asked her if I would get a chance to work as a tout and she explained to me how to apply and the requirements needed,” she recalled.
Among the challenges, she says she faces are rude commuters, suitors who have ulterior motives and those who disregard her work.
At times she meets passengers who lie and want to swindle her.
“Some may be intoxicated and do not want to pay their fares. They’d look at you and despise you for being a woman, but I have learnt to handle myself better. Some moody customers would want to spoil your day. They’d want to pick brawls or you know woo you rudely.
“It depends on how you carry yourself. We have strict guidelines on how to engage with our customers and we respect them as they allow us to serve them. You cannot be rude to a customer. You ought to understand when to let go of certain issues and how to wisely handle others,” she noted.
Family Background
Esther was born and raised in Nakuru County. She went to school at Free Hall Primary School and two high schools, one of them was Flamingo High School.
Her mother struggled to make ends meet and she grappled with completing her secondary education.
“In high school, we at times lacked school fees and I would stay at home for even a month. There was this time when my siblings at times declined to go to school lamenting that they would also stay at home after completing their secondary education like me
“I remember them telling my mum to allow them to sit at home rather than waste money paying their fees,” Esther says.
After high school, she joined Rift Valley Institute where she studied Information Technology and attained a certificate in the course, commonly referred to as Microsoft computer packages.
“I really loved and yearned to go to college and I still do, but I couldn't afford to raise the fees,” she explains.
She advises the youth and other job seekers to be courageous enough to risk and venture into any type of business, no matter what people perceive of them.
“In high school, our teachers used to ask boys to study lest they become touts. But I learnt that as long as your work is legit, you are dedicated and respectful to others, then nothing else matters. Some say that only men can be touts.
“For those seeking jobs, happiness starts with you. Don’t pick jobs. You can earn money from any kind of job. If you can't find happiness at work then where else can you find it? Join me and let's hustle. I can now pay my bills, support my kids and I am happy.”
