There is a special hell Mombasa residents go through when it comes to matatus. Driving is a nightmare in Mombasa simply because one has to deal with the utter madness that is matatus.

Matatus are an urban culture in Kenya. They have always been more than just a mode of transport. They showcase artistic creativity, youthful trends and freedom of expression.

The rise of the urbanisation of matatus started in my youth. As teenagers, we wasted many an hour standing at the stages, waiting for a specific matatu that was cool enough to commute with. It would blast music, have TV and DVD players, cameras and woofers.

As school kids, we would all pack in those matatus like sardines; girls sitting on laps of other girls, and boys hanging from the doors. A ride home from school was an experience, not just a commute.

I’m almost in my forties now. Looking back, it seems like a silly sweet memory, but looking forward, all I can see as a parent are the dangers that lurk in the matatu industry. Matatau drivers in Mombasa are some of the worst drivers to ever exist in the country. While Nairobi drivers are known for their speed-chasing swervy style of driving, Mombasa matatu drivers are just inexperienced drivers with no regard for traffic rules or other road users.

It has been many years since I have travelled in a matatu. Lucky for us in Mombasa, we have tuk-tuks that can ferry us much faster at almost the matatu price. However, as a road user, all the bad experiences I have had on the road come from matatus. Matatu drivers in Mombasa believe the road is only for them. Freedom is theirs only. Courtesy should only be granted to them. In fact, matatus are such a nightmare in Mombasa, they are traffic police’s worst nightmare.

Those of us who live in the main streets of Mombasa with their many alleyways know just how challenging they are. Pavements, street divers and personal driveways are all considered roads to matatu drivers. They use whatever means necessary to get ahead, even if it means everyone will suffer. For instance, overlapping is a big issue on such narrow-street areas like Kisauni and Bamburi.

Matatus would often overtake a long traffic line and obstruct oncoming traffic because there is nowhere to go. Woe unto you if you refuse them to merge after their illegal overtaking. Because of such nonsensical driving tactics, certain areas often become gridlocks at certain times of the day. It has to take several traffic policemen with nyaunyo to open up traffic, only for the matatu drivers to do it again a few metres up the road.

They stop in the middle of the road to pick up or drop off passengers and expect everyone around them to wait. They overtake you only to brake sharply because they see a potential passenger. They hurl a string of insults after you refuse to be bullied by them. They also take advantage of the carbro road networks that interlink neighbourhoods to evade traffic on the main road.

Can it get worse? Yes, it can. The matatus in Mombasa have horns that are extremely loud and play some sort of tune. I live at least a couple of kilometers from the main road and I still hear the honking tune of barbie girl in my bed at two in the morning! The tunes of the horns range from barbie girl to annoying vibrations all the way to bollywood songs. The drivers of these matatus enjoy blasting these horns on repeat multiple times in a minute. Sometimes they honk them while they are parked and picking up passengers.

Matatus are an important part of our society and economy. Millions of Kenyans travel by matatu every single day. While I appreciate the legacy of matatus as part of our urban culture, I also appreciate safety and convenience of passengers. Somebody needs to shape up these matatu folks Michuki-style asap!