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Thugs or Entrepreneurs? Perceptions of Matatu Operators in Nairobi, 1970 to the Present

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 March 2011

Kenda Mutongi
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Abstract

This essay examines the changing perceptions of matatu crews from the 1970s to the present. In the early 1970s commuters and many Kenyans typically viewed the matatu operators as an important, enterprising group of people, contributing to the economic development of the new nation of Kenya. This perception changed drastically in the 1980s when commuters, and indeed many Kenyans of all ranks, increasingly saw the matatu operators as thugs engaging in excessive behaviour – using misogynistic language, rudely handling passengers, playing loud music and driving at dangerously high speeds. Worse, the matatu operators were forced to join cartels that fought against reform and enabled this kind of behaviour. Nevertheless, I argue that, in many ways, the commuters have been complicit in creating the notorious matatu man – a creature they purport to hate, and then have conveniently used as a scapegoat whenever they see fit. In other words, the commuters have created the monster and then attacked it in order to exorcise their collective guilt.

Résumé

Cet essai examine l'évolution des perceptions des équipes de matatu des années 1970 à nosjours. Audébut des années 1970, les usagers et de nombreux Kenyans considéraient généralement les exploitants de matatu comme un groupe important de personnes entreprenantes qui contribuaient au développement économique de la nouvelle nation du Kenya. Cette perception a changé radicalement dans les années 1980 lorsque les usagers, voire beaucoup de Kenyans de tous rangs, ont de plus en plus considéré les exploitants de matatu comme des voyous aux comportements excessifs, usant d'un langage misogyne, se montrant impolis avec les usagers, écoutant de la musique forte et conduisant à des vitesses dangereusement élevées. Pire encore, les exploitants de matatu ont été contraints d'adhérer à des cartels qui se battaient contre les réformes et favorisaient ce genre de comportement. Néanmoins, l'article soutient que les usagers ont été à plusieurségards complices de la création de l'homme matatu notoire, une créature qu'ils prétendent haïr mais dont ils font leur bouc émissaire quand ça les arrange. En d'autres mots, les usagers ont créé le monstre qu'ils ont ensuite attaqué afin d'exorciser leur culpabilité collective.

Type
Research Article
Information
Africa , Volume 76 , Issue 4 , November 2006 , pp. 549 - 568
Copyright
Copyright © International African Institute 2006

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