How to Start a Matatu Business in Kenya

A matatu business, if well managed, can be quite lucrative. Aware of this fact, we often come across people who are eager to know how they can get started in the matatu business in Kenya. And as it turns out, there are 5 key steps that one needs to follow, when setting up a matatu business in Kenya.

The first step is to figure out where exactly the matatu to be bought will be operating. You actually need to approach the people on the matatu sacco you will be seeking to operate in, and get them to admit you as a member. Otherwise you run the risk of buying a matatu, only to end up lacking a route to operate it on! If you can approach the right people, and  are willing to pay the required fees, it shouldn’t be too hard for you to get a route on which to operate your matatu. Getting a matatu route in Kenya to operate in is definitely not as hard as applying for a Kenya ID card online. But neither should you expect it to be as easy as renewing your Kenya driving license online. In other words, it not too hard, but neither is it too easy either.

The second step, having figured out where exactly the matatu to be bought would be operating, is to actually buy the vehicle. You can also start a matatu business with someone else’s vehicle. You see, there are so many matatus that have been grounded due to owners’ inability to manage them. So you can approach one such owner, and get them to rent/lease their matatu to you. But really, if you can afford it, it is better to buy your own vehicle.

The third step is to prepare the vehicle for matatu business. If it is a brand new vehicle you will have bought, then you would need to have it upholstered, and perhaps pimped up a bit.

The fourth step is to hire the crew for the matatu. The sacco you are joining may insist on you hiring some of their people, but you should also try to get your own people in.

The fifth step is to introduce your matatu onto the road. You may encounter a few teething problems, but eventually, the business will stabilize. You probably won’t be making super-profits, but you can get a decent return on your investment.