How do you explain the success of Kathi Matatus?

Very few people will dispute the assertion that Kathi Safaris is one of the most successful travel companies in Ukambani. From a time less than 10 years ago when there used to be just a few Kathi matatus around, today, they have become a force to recorn with in Machakos and Makueni routes. If you were to sit at a place like, say, Makutano ma Kyumbi (Machakos Junction) and start counting the numbers of Kathi matatus in operation, you can’t help but be impressed. I was even more impressed another day sitting at Maungu and counting the number of Kathi buses going into and out of Mombasa – and it soon became clear that Kathi safaris has truly come of age.

In my assessment, the success of Kathi matatus is a result of the business acumen, prudence and aggressiveness of the folks who run the company. I mean if you go to the terminuses where Kathi matatus operate from (including the one opposite Kandara bar in Mtwapa and the one in Changamwe) at any time of the day or night, you soon realize that Kathi safaris is a very well managed business. You can see it in the employees and the briskness with which they operate. It helps too that Kathi enjoys strong support from the Kamba clientele it serves, who have come to view it as a trusted and reliable brand.