On Sunday, October 2, a viral video of two touts dangerously hanging on a speeding matatu's door attracted backlash on social media with many calling for the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to take appropriate action.
The video triggered a conversation about the unruly nature of the matatu industry- that some shun it while others perceive it as the culture.
Speaking to Mungai Eve, Zafeer Katana, one of the touts filmed dangling on the matatu gave his side of the story and how everything unfolded.
He noted that on a fateful day, they were en route to Nairobi from Umoja and were just from filling the matatu in record time. This led to a Ksh400 bet between him and his colleague on who can outdo the other in terms of stunts.
"It was a weekend and a time to have fun, so we filled the matatu with passengers in record time and began our journey. Other matatus were yet to pack their passengers so it was a thrilling moment for us. So my colleague and I placed a Ksh400 bet on stunts we can do "mastingo" as people refer to it," he stated.
"He began the stunts and we ended up taking it up a notch higher. That's when I did the flip without any strain at all. Honestly, it was to be a stunt for our enjoyment without any recording but a passenger captured the whole thing. That's when the trouble began," he added.
Prompted if the passengers had an issue with their theatrics, he noted that they were calm as they knew it's the matatu culture
"The passengers in the matatu had no issue at all with our stunts. They know that's the culture with loud music and a time to be free and have fun."
After the video went viral, Katana was arrested by NTSA officials the following day.
"I was picked up from my house on Sunday. That morning, my friends alerted me that people were looking for me. Minutes later, I heard a knock on the door and my child opened it. It was the police and Sacco officials."
"I was taken to the precinct on Monday and stayed till Tuesday morning when we were taken to court. I was charged with riding dangerously and lacking a uniform and a badge."
The matatu conductor noted that the vehicle was impounded while the driver was slapped with a bond of Ksh200,000 and a cash bail of Ksh100,000. Katana pleaded guilty and was fined Ksh30,000.
"I was only regretful of my actions when we had to give the cash away. Fortunately, the passengers whom I ferry on a daily came to my aid and offset the amount."
"I wouldn't encourage anyone to emulate my actions. I have two children, and at times I may not seem to care but deep down I think of my actions."
According to Katana, the government ought to pick a few points from the incident and realise the talents possessed by youths in the country.
"Hanging on a matatu is an offense but it's a matatu culture. Even if my actions were not right, there's still something that the government can pick from there."
"There are many educated and unemployed people who chose not to enter into a life of crime but instead opt for the matatu industry. There's a lot of street talent that is not recognised locally such as stunts on bikes, which is an actual sport internationally."
Katana, who studied Petroleum and GeoScience in university, is currently suspended from the Sacco.
