I am aware of all that, and i doubt they announce crackdown days on radio or print media - at least not where i come from. This is a highly dynamic business.

Kumbe sio wakenya pekee wana haya mambo. Some time in early last year, my pal and I decided to go window shopping for a car. I recall we visited some yards on Uhuru Highway, literally went in to all on Ngong' road, as well as a few in the Karen neighborhood. We found more or less the same story where one vehicle would be listed for sale by more than one vendor and all at different prices.

Hi Members. I've been following this thread and need your advice. I have saved about 2.2 Million shillings and would like to get into the mat business. I have 3 options although you can propose more i.e.

1. Buy two old 14 seater mats. Maybe deploy these on long distance e.g. with 2NK, MTN, NENO, NNUS e.t.c.
2. Import a Toyota 7L, although from what I have seen in this forum, these are not getting TLB, thus a relatively weak option.
3. Look for a partner or talk to the bank for financing of a 33 seater for town service in Nairobi, possibly with Metro trans or Super Metro.

Thanks in advance guys and all advice most welcome.

@ matatuman option 3 looks promising what do u mean by getting ones hands dirty ?

Thanks Matatuman.

What if I just buy one very good third hand for the long distance shuttles..10 or 11 pax and use established SACCOs like 2NK, NNUS etc? I have a very tasking day time job that will not let me be available at all during weekdays.

Asante sana double eem. I've not enquired, only making estimates of around 3K per day. Looks like I will have to get alternative investment options :(.

I hate to burst your bubble but there is nothing like a well managed sacco.

@Muzee, the day-to-day running and monitoring of your investment is entirely your responsibility that cannot be entrusted to an often 'remote' sacco management.

Remember too that, quite often, sacco officials are themselves matatu operators (i.e. they own matatus in the same sacco) and are thus your direct competitors as individuals.

Very valid points raised by @matatuman. The current uncertainty has really skewed market prices and though NTSA seems to be in favor of lifting the 'ban', the issue is beyond them and seems like it's headed to the cabinet for a final decision.

Third hand mat, be very careful on that. Have a very good mechanic, one with a keen eye for detail, to accompany you when doing such. Incidentally, my experience mirrors @matatuman's. There's one unit I'd got in 2011 which was in perfect condition, accident free, etc. Nikanunua, nikaitayarisha (took about a month - never do this in a hurry) kisha ikaanza kazi. Shock on me, on the second week of operations, the gearbox failed (issues to do with top-shaft and couter-gear) and I had to replace with a new one at 54k. About 10 or so months later, an engine overhaul was called for. So yes, when he tells you to have some spare cash aside for any surprises, please listen. As always, I advise to have spare cash sufficient to buy a complete engine (whose prices currently range from 280k to 450k depending on type and specs).

One final thing, as you research, don't forget to research on a good reputable and reliable garage where you will be servicing and repairing your vehicles. Pay them a visit too and see how they do their work, enquire on some charges for this or that, etc. This is very important especially for yo with a demanding day job that keeps you occupied. For this, since I did not have a vehicle at the time and therefore knew no mechanics, I enlisted the help of a relative who happened to own one at the time. Being a man in uniform, he did it all under cover and went as far as getting a quotation. Once I finally got the unit, nilienda tu nayo kwa garage na ile quotation nikawauliza 'hii handwriting ni ya nani?' The I gave them the car to work on at the prices they themselves had quoted, after slight negotiations. So far, so good.

Incidentally, if you choose to buy a locally pre-owned unit, if you can, insist on visiting the garage where it's ordinarily serviced/repaired and talk to the specific mechanics who handle it. They may have some valuable insights that the seller may be unwilling to reveal. This once saved me some potential headache.

And, when you take your mech to view some cars, please pay him a stipend for taking his time. That is over and above meeting his fare and lunch costs.

Not so fast. Challenges are just but opportunities by another name. Do some basic research first then make an informed decision. All the best lakini.