Matatu A History of Popular Transportation in Nairobi

• Main Author: Mutongi, Kenda (auth)
• Format: Electronic Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Chicago University of Chicago Press 2017
• Subjects: Humanities; African history; Anthropology; Buses, trams & commercial vehicles: general interest; Urban communities; east african history; mass transit; kenya; africa; public transportation; ethnic studies; nairobi; matatu; matatus; colorful minibus; ramshackle; vehicles; aftermarket detailing; taxis; kanye west; barack obama; interdisciplinary research; 1960s; 20th century; socioeconomic; political conditions; diversity; idiosyncratic designs; kenyan life; rapid urbanization; organized crime; entrepreneurship; social insecurity; transition to democracy; society; popular culture
• Online Access: OAPEN Library: download the publication; OAPEN Library: description of the publication

Drive the streets of Nairobi, and you are sure to see many matatus-colorful minibuses that transport huge numbers of people around the city. Once ramshackle affairs held together with duct tape and wire, matatus today are name-brand vehicles maxed out with aftermarket detailing. They can be stately...