‘Utalipa gari mzima’: Popular CBD conductor Joseph warns passengers against reversing fare
By Steve Ireri, August 3, 2026Popular city matatu conductor Joseph has issued a stern warning to passengers who reverse their fare payments after boarding public service vehicles, saying those found engaging in the practice could be forced to pay the fare for everyone travelling in the same vehicle.
Speaking in a video shared on TikTok by Metro Kenya on Sunday, August 2, 2026, Joseph said the growing use of mobile phones to pay fares had created a new challenge in the public transport sector, with some passengers making payments and later reversing the transactions.
Joseph warned that passengers who are caught reversing their fare payments could face a hefty financial consequence, insisting that they would be required to pay the fare for the entire vehicle.
“And now henceforth, if I discover that you have reversed your fare money, you will end up paying the fare for all the people in that car. My name is Joseph, and the challenge we are facing is that passengers have a tendency of using their phones to pay only for themselves and then reversing that money back thereafter,” he said.
The conductor said the practice had become a major concern for those working in the public transport sector, prompting calls for stronger measures to address the issue.
He maintained that passengers should not assume that they could reverse their fare payments without consequences, warning that those caught would be required to pay for the entire bus.
“And that is why we are warning them now because a law is on the way regarding this matter. If we discover that you reversed the money, you will pay for the whole bus,” Joseph added.
Joseph described fare reversals as one of the biggest challenges currently facing the matatu industry, particularly as more passengers embrace mobile money and digital payment methods when paying for transport.
According to the conductor, the increased reliance on mobile phones has made it easier for some passengers to complete a fare transaction before reversing the payment afterwards.
He further appealed to the government that will take office after the 2027 General Election to intervene and help the public transport sector address the challenge.
“That is one of the biggest challenges we face in this sector. That is why we are requesting this government that will come after 2027 to help with this major challenge,” he said.