BY MWANAHABARI REPORTER
A matatu driver and his conductor were on Friday morning, September 24, left in shock after passengers who had boarded their ride refused to pay fare.
The rioting chorus was started by one passenger – a parent – who was openly concerned about the screening of X-rated content pitting wild, sexualised Jamaican musicians shaking their half-naked buttocks on the faces of the men, women and children who had boarded the matatu.
The man – who was accompanied by his teenage daughter – ordered the matatu to stop playing the music or face serious action which would affect them, the Sacco and the owner of the vehicle.
Other passengers joined in the chorus accusing the conductor and his driver of promoting immorality.
Play something family friendly
The passengers went a step further and refused to pay bus fare – until the music was replaced with something family friendly.
The ‘DJ’ (the driver) was forced to end the horror by playing local gospel music – which most of the passengers loved.
It is only then that the conductor was allowed to collect the Ksh100 bus fare.
“This is not a brothel. This is a pubic service vehicle, not some sex shop. You are embarrassing us even with our children, mothers-in-law and people we respect with these kinds of music. If you must play this kind of music, you can do that in your house,” the old man who had raised concern forked.
In a rather light note, the conductor said that the music was what their regular customers; the youths, loved, but promised to be considerate next time.
We don’t like this kind of madness
“If you know that this matatu only caters for young, hot-blooded youths, why don’t you put a sign board at the door so those of us who don’t like this kind of madness can take a bus?” wondered another passenger.
The incident comes at a time when the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) has been cracking the whip on Public Service Vehicles who play x-rated content and constantly harassing passengers.
KFCB has issued a hotline number to members of the public to report public service vehicle (PSV) screening pornographic content on fitted screens.
“We appealed to members of the public to support KFCB by reporting to us any cases of inappropriate content in Public Service Vehicles through our hotline number +254 748 184 499,” then KFCB CEO Dr Ezekiel Mutua said in February 2020.