In a previous article, 'Wanna fly to Thika? Kenya Mpya could be the means', we focused on PSVs matatus ferrying passengers from Thika to Nairobi, Route 237.
Thika is like a network of rat trails and to make it here, transport has to be there for travelling to various estates. 2TS Sacco/ Thika Town Sacco matatus which are all 14-seaters are the main matatus involved in ferrying passengers from almost all Thika estates to the town centre and vice versa.
It is the biggest and notable Sacco in the town so far and anybody travelling to any of Thika estates would probably travel with matatus from these Sacco.
However, apart from that the matatus are everywhere within the town and the estates to take you to your desired destination, there is barely nothing else positive to write home about these matatus.
From operating one of the oldest and the most unroadworthy matatus in town to overloading passengers, the Sacco's adherence to traffic rules is wanting if not completely lacking.
"The conductors usually tell us 'tupendane' or 'tukae wanne kama PK' meaning we create space for extra passengers. They cannot leave the stage before 18 passengers are in. We never talk about it as we have become used to it," Ezekiel Gitahi, a trader at Jamhuri market who resides in Makongeni and uses the matatu daily to travel to and from work said on Thursday.
The matatu conductors are also known as not being good at remembering to give back change. You have to pester.
"I always tell them to give me back my change with the same vigour they ask me to pay for the matatu. I have no time to do monkey business with them," said Anthony Mwaura, a Kiang'ombe resident.
Enter Thika Swift Sacco matatus or 'Nganya' or 'Magari ya Murengo' as known by locals. They ferry passengers to estates that lie along Thika road. And as the nickname 'nganya' would have it, they are new, trendy and don't overload. They are loved by young people and loathed in equal measure by the elderly.
They also play ear-shattering music that even some youths can't stand. However, you will find warning stickers in some of them like, "If the music is too loud for you, you are too old for it." That shuts you up in case you wanted to complain of the loud music. They also have young crew who bad-mouth their passengers who try to complain on any issue.
And as they have also come to be nicknamed, 'magari ya murengo', they are fond of cutting the journey short at the middle and give you to other matatus to get you to your destination.