I was watching The Churchill Show (arguably Kenya's top comedy TV show) the other day when the kids segment came up. They were featuring a 7-year old golf champion who will soon represent Kenya in Europe. Her interview was preceded by 'word on the street' where other kids were asked what they wanted to be when they grow up. One of them said confidently,
"Nataka kuwa dere wa Umoinner!" The audience burst into fits of laughter as the host jokingly said, "It matters where you bring up your kids."
Translation: I want to be a matatu driver. This kid was very specific about the bus he wants to drive too- Umoinner.
I laughed too. How can someone desire to be a matatu driver?
About a year ago, I sat in the front cabin with driver of a CBD bound matatu. It was raining inside the matatu, you know, the roof leaking and all. The matatu had no radio, my battery was dead, so we started chatting.
"It's hard being a matatu driver or working in this industry in any capacity. If it's not the City Council baying for your blood, its the rude air headed passengers who think they are better than us. Then there is the Traffic police who have collection points every five minutes drive." He said.
He (lets call him John) is a trained engineer. He actually worked in the industry a while before moving to the transport industry. "The pay was poor...not even enough to replace what I'd used to study engineering. I had to choose between having a 'respectable' job while struggling to make ends meet and leaving to find something that would respect my skills." He got initiated into matatus by his aunt and three months on as a driver, he realized what a jackpot mataus were if managed well. He went on to buy his own 14 seater but decided to sell it six months later citing losses. He still wanted to be in this industry so he sought a job with one of the leading bus companies where he works to date.
"Sure, this is not where I thought I would be growing up. The shifts are crazy! If you have a nagging wife, please, this one is not for you."
"So why do you stay?" I asked.
"Well, if someone would pay me my worth in what I trained for, maybe I would; but you know what? Despite all these challenges, I do enjoy my job. Its quite something maintain my level of uprightness in an industry that reeks insults and corruption...and I promise you there are more like me. We are educated and try every single day to make ends meet. Oh, na doe si mbaya saana! So don't be looking at someone and judging them just because they are behind the wheel of a matatu. I helped you get home today, didn't I?"
I wish I'd asked him what he thought of the kid who wanted to be a matatu driver. I wonder how he would have advised him. I remember the kid saying that he admires the way the drivers drive those buses and make sure everyone gets home safely.
Now, should we encourage this kid to dream bigger? Should we tell him that he can do better than be a matatu driver? Should we tell him that being a matatu driver should just be a back up plan? OR should we tell him that whatever HE chooses to be, let him do it the best way he can, with integrity? If you were to share some career advice with him, what would you say? Maybe he'll grow up and change his mind, eh?
Who are these jobs reserved for anyway?
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