Editing Nairobi (section)

====Matatu====
[[File:A matatu.jpg|thumb|left|A matatu]]
{{main|Matatu}}
Matatus are the most common form of public transport in Nairobi. [[Matatu]], which literally translates to "three cents for a ride" (nowadays much more) are privately owned minibuses.<ref>{{cite web |last=United Nations Offices Nairobi Interns |title=How to get around Nairobi |publisher=interns.unon.org |url=http://interns.unon.org/index%206.1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070203075002/http://interns.unon.org/index%206.1.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 February 2007 |access-date=5 July 2007 }}</ref> They generally seat 14 to 33 riders. Matatus operate within Nairobi, its environs and suburbs and from Nairobi to other towns around the country.<ref name="uonbi.ac.ke"/> The matatu's route is imprinted along a yellow stripe on the side of the bus, and matatus plying specific routes have specific route numbers. However, in 2004, a [[Seat belt legislation|law was passed, requiring all matatus to include seat belts]], [[speed governor]]s and to be painted with a yellow stripe.<ref>{{cite news|title=Crackdown hits Kenyan commuters|publisher=BBC|date=2 February 2004|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3450777.stm|access-date=3 July 2006|archive-date=2 April 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040402081250/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3450777.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> At first, this caused a furore amongst Matatu operators, but they were pressured by government and the public to make the changes. Matatus are now limited to {{convert|80|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}.

However, in November 2014 President Uhuru Kenyatta lifted the ban on the yellow stripe and allowed matatus to maintain the colourful graphics in an effort to support the youth in creating employment. Matatus in Nairobi were easily distinguishable by their extravagant paint schemes, as owners would paint their matatu with various colourful decorations, such as their favourite [[association football|football]] team or [[hip hop music|hip hop]] artist. They are notorious for their poor safety records, which are a result of overcrowding and reckless driving.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Foster |first=Kendrick |date=2019-09-20 |title=Matatus, Mototaxis, and More: Paratransit and Inequality |url=https://hir.harvard.edu/matatus-mototaxis-and-more/ |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Harvard International Review |language=en}}</ref> Due to the intense competition between matatus, many are equipped with powerful sound systems and television screens to attract more customers.