Matatu and bus rules: touting, stages and fare refunds
Traffic Rules / Traffic Act · sources read 2 Oct 2026
Touting, and a matatu or bus picking up or setting down passengers at an unauthorised place, are offences with instant fines of KSh 3,000 each. Passengers who board or alight at an unauthorised place can be fined KSh 1,000, and failing to refund the fare for an unfinished journey carries a KSh 3,000 instant fine.
- Where
- Police and NTSA enforce on the road; the courts if a charge is denied
Steps
- Board and alight only at authorised stages. Getting on or off elsewhere can cost you a KSh 1,000 fine.
- If your trip is not completed, ask for the fare for the part you did not travel. Refusing to refund it is an offence.
- To report a matatu breaking these rules, tell a traffic police officer or call the police on 999, 112 or 911.
Watch out
- Passengers must wear a seat belt while the vehicle is moving: the instant fine is KSh 500.
- Hanging out of a moving matatu (any part of your body outside) carries a KSh 1,000 instant fine.
Who this covers
- Matatu and bus drivers and conductors.
- Passengers too: boarding or alighting at an unauthorised place is an offence.
Official sources (3)
- The Traffic (Minor Offences) Rules (L.N. 161 of 2016) new.kenyalaw.org · read 2 Oct 2026
- Traffic Act (Cap. 403) new.kenyalaw.org · read 2 Oct 2026
- National Police Service - Kenya Police kenyapolice.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026