Nelson Mwangi: How Super Metro Co-Founder Disrupted Matatu Industry

Super Metro has over the past decade earned a reputation among commuters in Nairobi for the experience it offers passengers, one that’s markedly different from the traditionally chaotic experience associated with the matatu sector.

In the past year, Super Metro has been aggressively expanding to several routes across Nairobi, far beyond its Nairobi-Westlands-Kikuyu 105 mainstay, eating into the market share of traditional players. It now plies routes including Mombasa Road and Rongai, and has even introduced an electric bus to its fleet.

Samuel Mwangi is a co-founder of the Super Metro and has chaired the organization since its inception in 2013. Super Metro was established by 14 directors, including Mwangi, who came together with a vision of building an impactful giant in the transport sector. Mwangi had prior experience operating his own PSVs and took on the Chairman role.

He had come to Nairobi as a young man looking for work, and, at one point, roasted maize near Makadara Law Courts. He later secured a job as a lift attendant, and did the job well enough to eventually be promoted to Operations Manager. He used his savings to invest in public service vehicles, and eventually left his job to focus on the lucrative matatu industry.

Under the stewardship of Mwangi, Super Metro began growing its fleet of clean and spacious vehicles and introducing structures that would set it apart from competitors. The team is credited with introducing stringent vetting for drivers and conductors during hiring and a disciplinary process, with the company keen on professionalism. This made it a hit with commuters.

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“Most drivers feel super metro is a school because of the rules and regulations. Drivers and conductors make an application, they bring all requirements and we set a date for an interview,” he previously told Kenyans.co.ke.

Requirements for drivers and conductors seeking employment with the sacco include recommendation letters from their previous employer, NHIF and NSSF registration and a valid certificate of good conduct from the DCI.

Customer complaints against a driver or conductor trigger internal hearings that can lead to their dismissal.

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