If you’ve ever passed through a busy matatu roundabout, you’ve probably seen the guys coordinating vehicles, loading luggage, and calling out for passengers.
That’s where Maich earns his living: as a kamagera.
We caught up with him to learn how the hustle works, the challenges behind it, and why he still believes it’s worth it.
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How Do You Become a Kamagera?
Hii janta hauamki na kuanza ku-shout “beba beba”, kuna process.
Maich anadaisha….
“Kuna group yetu ya ma boys. Ukiingia, lazima ulete doh, uwe na badge, na uwe registered.”
Ndio msee a join, una need kitu Ksh 10,000 – 15,000 yenye ina cover registration, badge na sometimes kabuti (jacket) yenye inakufanya kuwa part of the crew.
Once uko in, the group ina ku assign your spot na kukuchanua vile kunaendaga.
How Can a Kamagera Stand Out?
Hii field ukuwa seen na wasee wengi kama field ya wasee rough ama rude. Maich, ame figure out design ya ku-stand out, na ni simple — respect.
“Mimi wateja wanapenda gari yangu juu ya mimi najua kuchangamka na najua kubeba mtu na heshima,” he says proudly.
Najua watu wasemanga watu wa stage wanakuanga wasee wa kutukanana — ukibeba mthii lazima umtukane, ‘kwenda ingia hii gari ama usiingie.
Mimi hubeba mthii wangu na heshima, na ndiyo maana gari yangu hujaa haraka juu mimi nabebanga mtu na heshima.”haraka.”
Hii reputation ukuwa ina directly affects vile yeye ana earn.
The friendlier unakuwa, the faster msee ana fill mat yake and the more trips he makes months.
Why Does He Love the Job?
Ever wondered ni nini hu-keeps kamagera like Maich showing up kila siku, rain or shine?
Kwake, it’s simple, hii gig keeps life moving.
“Mi napenda hii mboka juu inanisaidia na vitu mingi. Niko na mtoi na ana need school fees, niko na mambo zangu nataka kulipa nyumba, nataka nikuwe smart, nataka nikule.”
Pia ana value the saving culture among kamageras.
“Bado pia tukona hizi savings zetu hapa na tunazeeka, miaka zinaenda; lazima tufanye kitu.”
What Challenges Come With the Job?
So, hii gig ya kamagera ukuwa all smooth sailing ama?
Maich doesn’t sugarcoat it.
“Zile challenges zenye tunapitia hapa ni masanze kututhigitha, unapata tuko na maboiz hapa tumetukanana juu ya hizi doh, pia na ni mbao unaona,” he says, shaking his head.
Then kuna risto ya tough clients.
“Saa zingine pia utakuja upate mthii ametoka kwa nyumba na mambo mingi, unaona utaenda kumbeba akutukane. Yani kunakuwanga na mambo mingi tu hapa, lakini utafanya nini? Lazima utafute doh.”
Despite hizi chaos, quitting sio option walahi. For Maich, kila siku is about staying calm, kuchapa works, na ku-keep the peace.
What Advice Does He Have for Those Who Want to Join?
Thinking ya ku-venture idhaa ya kamagera grind? Maich ako na some real talk hapa.
“Mi naeza ambia boiz anataka kupiga shughuli kama hii yangu, si ati ni fine hiiivo, hata sisi tukisema tunaitaka hivo sana,” he says.
His biggest advice, come correct.
“Ukitaka kuja kwa hii shughuli, unaeza kuja na badge, unakuja na doh hiyo miti kumi, na kitu kama kabuti. Unakuja unaongea na bigi wetu: kuna bigi wetu ataku-lead, atakuambia venye kuko, uanze sasa ukamagera yako na usisumbuane na mtu.”
For Maich, respect na discipline ndio ina m-keep the streets running smoothly: na ndio ina separates a real kamagera from the rest.
