Surviving Kamageras 101: How to dodge and outsmart them
An Ariel view of Mashambani stage in Nakuru City.
Whether you're travelling or simply navigating Nakuru city, one thing is hard to miss — the overzealous individuals at the matatu stages.
At nearly every bus stage, you'll encounter a group of young men, commonly referred to as 'Kamageras'.
Their role? To chase after approaching passengers and hit them with the familiar line “Unaenda Eldoret, Nairobi, Kitale?Kuja nikuonyeshe gari.”
Once they spot a potential passenger, they waste no time. Their persistence can be overwhelming and, at times, downright rude if you choose not to engage.
Kamageras operate in a kind of unspoken partnership with the actual touts (conductors), helping them fill up their vehicles in exchange for a few coins.
In extreme cases, these individuals block passengers from boarding matatus of their choice.
So intense is this group that they insult or chase off new Kamageras trying to get passengers, all in an attempt to monopolize the stage and secure their earnings.
That "small cut" they get ends up distorting the actual fare for passengers, since the real tout now has to factor in that extra cost. And in the end, it's the passengers who pay the price.
But here’s the catch: if you're not careful, you might find yourself directed to a matatu that takes forever to fill up, wasting your time.
I've had my fair share of run-ins with them during my travels home to Naivasha, and let me tell you, Maina, my first experience was terrible. I was spoken to rudely for refusing to board a matatu to Kitale, never mind that I was not going there!
That day forced me to forge a strategy against Kamageras. Allow me to share it with you.
Top on the list is you need to wear a straight face. As soon as I alight at the stage, I clutch my luggage tightly, and when asked if I will board any of the vehicles going yonder, I respond firmly and plainly: “Nimefika.”
Now, if any of them dares to touch you in the name of persistence and hurl insults you must be ready to retort back. Introvert or not, this is your only way out beloved. Whatever you do, do not back down!
Happy traveling!