Super Metro Sacco has been hailed as Nairobi’s most disciplined matatu fleet in a rather messy Kenyan public transportation sector. This is courtesy of the brilliant leadership that has propelled them to achieve tremendous growth in the sector.
With the bulk of the population within Nairobi and its metropolitan regions relying on Public transportation, Super Metro has won the hearts of many and has become a model sacco for others to emulate. The Sacco has expanded to various routes since its establishment in 2013.
On these routes, it is very common to see popular super metro matatus going by their monikers. Such include Kabuku, Vine and Komat’su, among others.
In a past interview, one of the co-founding members of Super Metro, popularly known by his nickname Komat’su spoke of the origin of the Sacco, its growth and what it takes to invest in the matatu business with super metro.
Komat’su shared that he joined Super Metro in 2013 after the split from Metro. At the time there were only 14 investors. He joined the Sacco with one vehicle, a KCC registration plate.
The venture into the matatu business was courtesy of the savings he made while working in the construction industry.
He revealed that he owned Komat’su tractors, which he operated in the construction business. The business enabled to generate sufficient cashflows up until when he was ready to make the purchase for his first matatu. Currently, he manages several matatus and tractor businesses.
The investor also disclosed that he is involved in Super Metro’s management, adding that the sacco has grown from 14 to more than 300 investors.
He considers the matatu Sacco as one of his best investment choices made, noting that due to the Sacco’s strict policy and rules, Super Metro did not turn out as a risky gamble, as is the stereotype about matatu investments.
Komat’su revealed that he owns the second-highest number of vehicles in the Sacco (nearly 20 Komat’su buses), right behind the Sacco Chairman, Nelson Mwangi, who he pointed out to be the face behind the fleet Kabuku.
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“The name Komat’su came from the big tractor which we started our construction business with. That is where we got the money to buy a matatu,” he said.
Furthermore, he explained that with between Sh. 800,000 and Sh. 1 million, it is possible to become an investor with Super Metro should they meet all requirements.
With this, the management will handle all due diligence regarding sourcing a vehicle and getting all the necessary licenses before handing it over to you on a partial loan.
The matatus, he explained, have the potential to give returns of up to Sh. 10,000 daily, translating to around Sh. 300,000 monthly. In a couple of years, with meticulous cash flow generation and investments, it is possible to payback the loan and/or buy another matatu.
“We save about Sh. 2,000 daily with the Sacco. In a month, that is Sh. 60,000. In 10 months, I will have Sh. 600,000 which I can use to take a loan for another matatu as the other one sustains itself,” he clarified.
Furthermore, he stated that Super Metro Sacco empowers its employees as well through savings. He noted that one of his bus drivers saved up enough to purchase his very own Super Metro matatu.
“When he would get his salary, he would save some of it even if it was Sh. 500 per day. By the end of the month, those savings will have multiplied. In 2-3 years, he’ll have made enough to buy his vehicle,” he said.
He said that the most popular routes for Super Metro matatus are Juja, Kikuyu and Kitengela, asserting that the Sacco is expanding its number of matatus to cater to its loyal customers who are always in the queue to board.
