UON Lecturer Joy Kiiru Sparks Outrage After Claiming Matatus Are For Poor People: "Hajatuambia Poa"

• UoN lecturer and development economist Joy Kiiru has been trending since she referred to matatu users as poor and vulnerable people
• She was defending Kenyans and matatu owners against the proposed motor vehicle tax, saying it would only make things hard for people
• Some netizens agreed with her sentiments, while others denied being poor despite using matatus regularly

University of Nairobi senior lecturer Dr Joy Kiiru has sparked mixed reactions after referring to Kenyans who use matatus as poor.

While appearing on a talk show on Citizen TV, the economist discussed the proposed motor vehicle tax.

If the tax law is passed, motorists will pay 2.5% of their car's value to the government from one's income every year.

Kenyans react to economist's protest against high taxes

Kiiru said:

"Who uses matatus? The poor people and people who are vulnerable. If I run out of money in the middle of the month I jump into a matatu. But millions of poor people who have no other means of transportation, use matatus," she said.

According to Kiiru, matatus have served many 'poor' people over the years by keeping the cost low.

She also claimed that matatus use third-party insurance, meaning they go out of their way to assume the risks that come with business.

"Because it is costly to do comprehensive cover and then continue serving poor people. And here is the government telling them, you must afford what you cannot afford and give it to me. From a social economic perspective, how does that sound, is it even reasonable?" she added.

Watch the video below:

Here are some of the comments from social media users:

@gish said:

"I have a car and I usually use matatu not because I am poor or broke but for convenience. If poor people use matatu, what about those who use motorcycle?"

@Juma said:

"I know someone who earns KSh 100,000 and he uses matatus."

@Faye said:

"You all missed the point she was trying to say."

@Edwin Nguy said:

"I have a friend who has four matatus but has no private car. His mode of transport is by matatu. Does it mean he is poor?"

@Sheiroh said:

"People are so offended, yet it is true. We are very poor people."

@Biki Arap said:

"I used matatu but I am not poor. What is she saying."

@Mellow said:

"Using public transportation is not a sign of poverty."

@Lawrence said:

"Hajatuambia poa. She was defending us against the government but the fact that he is addressing me directly as a poor person, I feel attacked."

Kenyan insurers oppose motor vehicle tax

In a related report, the Association of Kenya Insurers (AKI) protested the motor vehicle tax being proposed in the Bill.

The 2.5% levy on the value of cars owned by Kenyans will see motorists pay an extra range of KSh 5,000 to KSh 100,000 on their annual insurance fees.

AKI chief executive officer Tom Gichui warned that the proposal would reverse the gains made in the sector.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke