Public Transportation Drivers as Ambassadors

A jumble of motorcycles and minibuses line the side of the road. People jump on the back of the motorcycle taxi. The drivers of the colourful minibuses call out the final destination to lure their customers in from afar. Public transport in Kenya is one of the most widely-used forms of transport and at the same time one of the most unsafe places for women, girls and LGBTQ people. Some of the 1.2 million bodaboda (motorcycle taxi) drivers and 120 thousand matatu (minibus) drivers are guilty of discrimination and violence against this group on a regular basis. When the non-profit organisation INEND (Initiative for Equality and Non-Discrimination) launched its first awareness campaign in 2015, a decision was quickly made to reach these drivers first. When these public transport drivers become ambassadors, the social impact is huge.  

 

INEND developed a three-day training course which, as a result of thorough research beforehand, seamlessly connected with the taxi drivers. They learn everything about gender, human rights, religion, sexuality and legislation. At the end of the training course, the participants are asked what they specifically want to do in order to raise awareness further among their circle of acquaintances and colleagues. This was how the idea arose to create an eye-catching mural in the district. "The participants didn’t think it was enough to just have discussions within the four walls. The discussion needed to continue at places where there is a lot of traffic or where the drivers meet. This was how the idea arose to create an eye-catching mural in a district in Mombassa. A mural always keeps speaking,” says Atieno Dayo, advocate for INEND. The black and red text pops off the white wall: ‘Safe space for all – Stop stigma discrimination & stop stigma and discrimination against women, marginalised groups and sexual & gender minorities in society.’ "It really stands out. People see this and it sets them thinking”, explains Atieno as to why a mural is so effective.  

 

 

 

When the leaders complete the training, they are encouraged to nominate two colleagues to also undergo training. And they bring two more drivers with them. In this way, more than 600 drivers have now been trained. In addition, INEND trains sympathetic drivers to hold training courses themselves. They speak their colleagues’ language even better. This peer-to-peer teaching method is very effective. INEND only steps in then when it comes to legislation, because such a specific subject sometimes demands some extra knowledge.  

 

 

 

The public transport drivers are not always eager to take part in awareness training. There is a lot of ignorance, disinformation and fear about sexual and gender minorities. Atieno: "They think that they are being invited to a gay meeting and that we want to make them gay. They do not immediately see why they should learn something about this topic It is very important for these kinds of people that their leaders recommend the training. In this way, we gain trust and respect, and drivers are more open to attending a training course. Right now, drivers are even coming to us asking for more training."  

Members of the LGBTQ community and drivers acting as ambassadors jointly developed anti-discrimination stickers to hand out to matatu drivers to stick on their windshields. Totally in line with the matatu culture, which has a lot of graffiti, illustrations and slogans on their vans. Atieno: "The group of sexual and gender minorities feel acknowledged and a lot safer in the vans with the sticker and in the area where there are anti-discrimination murals."  

 

 

 

INEND also uses a lot of illustrations online and in their physical forms of communication and publicity, such as their annual report. "We believe that art contributes better to the stories we have; it actually shows what we have done and are doing. Moreover, it represents our diverse community better than just text would," Atieno explains.  

 

Kenyan law does not directly criminalise being trans . In practice, however, trans people are still criminalised; also by government agencies, such as law enforcement officers and police, who are also stakeholders of INEND. Melody Njuki, communications officer with INEND says: "Not long ago, a trans woman was attacked by her community. They brought her to the police station, because she was accused of being a criminal. Even there, the police did not stop the violence. This happens on a regular basis. The community does not understand trans people , feels uncomfortable with what it doesn't know, and things get out of hand then."  

So, has there been any progress for the LGBTQ community? "Five years ago, it was still unthinkable that discussions would be held on social media about equal rights for the LGBTQ community. The fact that this is possible now, even little by little on the street, is already huge progress.” Nevertheless, Atiens is still hesitant about where things stand now: "I can tell my friends and family that I am queer and they accept that. However, we still have a long way to go as a country.” 

 

 

Want to read more about INEND? Click here. (https://www.inend.org/)