- Matatus in Kenya are more than just a form of transportation; they are a cultural phenomenon and an essential component of daily life
- The number of newly registered minibuses/matatus increased by 74.1% to 1,579 in 2023 indicating booming business
- 2NK Sacco plies the Nyeri-Nairobi-Karatina route and was established in 1994 by matatu owners from Nyeri and Karatina when Kenya's transport sector was still chaotic
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TUKO.co.ke journalist Japhet Ruto has over eight years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting and offers profound insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.
The matatus business in Kenya is booming if the latest statistics are anything to go by.
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How many matatus were registered in Kenya in 2023?
According to the 2024 Economic Survey report by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, newly registered motor vehicles rose by 20% from 99,365 in 2022 to 119,205 in 2023.
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During the period under review, the number of newly registered minibuses/matatus increased by 74.1% to 1,579 in 2023.
In Kenya, matatus are more than just a form of transportation; they are a cultural phenomenon and an essential component of daily life.
Each matatu is operated by a different Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisation (Sacco), each distinguished by a unique acronym that symbolises its operational routes or the towns it serves.
What acronyms of matatu Saccos mean
1. 2NK -Nyeri-Nairobi-Karatina
According to its website, it was established in 1994 by matatu owners from Nyeri and Karatina when Kenya's transport sector was still chaotic.
James Kihoro, chairman, steers the Sacco, while Anne Nyawira is chief executive officer (CEO).
Kihoro and Nyawira work closely with Sacco's board of directors. The Sacco started with 30 members but has since increased to over 800 matatus, with assets valued at over KSh 240 million, as reported by Pulse Live.
2. 4NTE Sacco - Nairobi-Nyeri-Nyahururu-Nakuru-Thika-Embu
4NTE Sacco was registered in 1992 by former members of the Matatu Owners Association, as per its website.
It offers passenger and parcel services, helps members save money, and disburses loans. It has over 500 members.
Besides the Nairobi-Nyeri-Nyahururu-Nakuru-Thika-Embu routes, it also serves several Rift Valley and Western Kenya towns, including Nakuru, Eldoret, Kitale, Naivasha, and Malaba.
3. NAEKANA Sacco - Nairobi-Embisil-Kajiado-Namanga
The Sacco, which previously operated Peugeot 504 station wagons, was formed in the 1970s. Later, in the 1990s, some members bought Nissans and named it Namanga Nissan Services.
The Naekana Route 134 Sacco Society Limited was founded in 2003 and continues to operate to date. According to Tiketi.com, it has a fleet of over 250 vehicles.
Its other routes are:
- Nairobi – Mtoto Andei – Voi – Mombasa.
- Nairobi – Emali – Loitoktok – Taveta – Voi – Mombasa.
- Nairobi – Mbumbuni – Wote.
4. Mbukinya
The name Mbukinya was reportedly coined from the owner's name, Paul Mburu Muthumbi.
Mbukinya has stood the test of time. It has been in business for over forty years, offering passenger and parcel services.
According to The Standard, the founder, Muthumbi, hawked eggs after completing his education. He attributed his success to patience and passion for the business, which he started with just one bus.
5. ENA Coach - Evans Nyagaka Anyona
Evans Nyagaka Anyona is the brains behind ENA Coach. Anyona launched ENA Coach following Transline Classic's success.
The Form Four dropout ventured into the matatu business after failing to proceed to college due to a lack of school fees.
According to Who Owns Kenya, his initial business was selling maize before using the proceeds to buy a pick-up, which he modified into a matatu. The rest, they say, is history.
Some of ENA coach routes:
- Nairobi - Kisumu.
- Nairobi -Nakuru
- Nairobi - Mbale.
- Kendu Bay - Kisii - Mombasa.
- Kehancha - Migori - Mombasa.
Other matatu Saccos, their acronyms
- NYENA – Nyeri-Nanyuki.
- KETNNO – Kiritiri-Embu-Thika-Nairobi Nissan Operators.
- MTN – Murang’a-Thika-Nairobi.
- SATIMA – Nairobi-Fly-over-Njabini-Ndunyu-Njeru.
- NAEKANA – Nairobi-Embisil-Kajiado-Namanga.
- NYESUMA Sacco – Nyeri-Skuta-Mathati.
- MENANY – Meru-Nanyuki-Meru-Nyambene.
- LINGANA – Limuru-Ngarariga-Nairobi.
- KUKENA – Kutus-Kerugoya-Nairobi.
- NAMUKIKA Sacco – Nairobi-Murang’a-Kiria-ini-Kangema.
- NAKONS – Nairobi-Kiriaini-Othaya-Nyeri Sacco.
- 3NS – Nakuru-Nyahururu-Subukia.
Who founded North Rift Sacco?
In related news, North Rift Luxury Shuttle is one of the matatu Saccos offering passenger and parcel services to Kenyans travelling from Nairobi to major towns in Rift Valley and Western.
The travel PSV company was founded in 2005 under the management of Ngigi Kang'ethe as the chairman.
Before North Rift Shuttle was established, it operated under the brand Everytime Peugeot Services for over a decade.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke
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