A big part of being in Nairobi without a car (not that I would ever be crazy enough to drive downtown Nairobi...) is being able to navigate public transit. The only difference here, is that there really isn't a controlled public mode of transit... the system here is private, either matatu or taxi. Taxi fare is relatively affordable in comparison to Toronto, but the matatu's are very inexpensive. For a 10 minute trip, we pay about 10 Kenyan Shillings, which is under 20 cents... pretty sweet.... however, each matatu ride is quite the adventure. Each one is smaller than the average North American mini van, and by law they are allowed up to 13 passengers at a time.
On poorly monitored roads, they will often cram up to 18 or 20 people into one. Aside from being loaded with people, they often come equipped with a video screen and pounding music... I have heard everything from reggae, popular rap, boys to men, and Mariah Carey, but it is all LOUD. Some have fluorescent lights inside and most are themed, with the inside walls plastered in posters and fabric.
The matatu business is also one of the most exploited in the country of Kenya, police officers will often pull over matatus and charge the driver a "tax" based upon the number of people using the service.
Here is the inside of a busy matatu...
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