Matatus

The vans are called matatus and they transport passengers like ambulances racing for the emergency room. ❋ Unknown (2009)

He introduced free primary education, paved rutted roads, and reined in the minibus taxis, known as matatus, that once careered around the city belching black fumes and bilking passengers. ❋ Unknown (2007)

The minibuses, known as matatus, are the main form of public transportation in Kenya. ❋ Unknown (2007)

Cars meandered across lanes and roundabouts, dodging potholes, bicycles, and pedestrians, while rickety jitneys-called matatus, I was told-stopped without any warning to cram on more passengers. ❋ Obama, Barack (1995)

Kenyan commuters have poured on to the streets from dawn to walk to work for a second day, as a strike by operators of minibuses known as matatus continues. ❋ Unknown (2010)

A number of the city's ramshackle minibus-taxis, called matatus, bear his likeness and one that we pass broken down by the side of the road simply has "Yes We Can" forlornly painted along its sides. ❋ By PAUL CHAI (2010)

The vans which are used for public transit in Kenya are called matatus, and you see them everywhere. ❋ Unknown (2009)

About 70 per cent of the minibuses - called matatus - used by Kenyan commuters are off the roads because of the protest.

Taxi minivans, popularly known as matatus, are Kenya's main means of public transport.

Nairobi traffic is choked by small minivans, "matatus," that provide transport for workers. ❋ Carl Pope (2011)

Minibus taxis, called "matatus" which are privately-owned, provide the principal means of getting around in Kenya. ❋ Unknown (2006)

"We usually conduct security searches on all 'matatus' (minibuses) plying the Nairobi to Nakuru highway ... all passengers were ordered to alight and before the search could begin, a man sneaked away," police official Richard Muguai said. ❋ Unknown (2010)

"matatus", packed with men when they arrived at police checkpoints. ❋ Unknown (2008)

Indeed, many of those who live in Kibera, Nairobi's biggest slum, stay there because they can't afford to commute in matatus. ❋ Carl Pope (2011)

Rural Kenyans aren't kept poor by matatus -- in their case it's the cost of kerosene and firewood for light and cooking. ❋ Carl Pope (2011)