10 things that make you a nightmare cab passenger in Nairobi
The next time you hop into that back seat, close the door softly, say hello, and treat the ride like the brief partnership it is. After all, the road is already stressful enough; no need to make it personal.
There’s something oddly intimate about a cab ride. You slide into a stranger’s car, exchange a polite nod, and for a few quiet minutes, your lives overlap, the hum of the engine filling the silence between you.
While you’re lost in thought or scrolling TikTok, the driver is taking notes, not of your conversation, but your vibes.
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And if you’ve ever wondered what makes a “good” passenger versus a “please let this ride end” passenger, Nairobi’s cab drivers have thoughts.
1. Don’t slam the door
You might not think much of it, but drivers feel every bang.
“Some people close the door like they’re angry at the world,” laughs 34-year-old James Mwangi, who’s been driving since 2021. “You hear that ‘thud’ and just know the door alignment has shifted again.”
Mwangi says passengers should treat the car like it’s their own, or at least like they borrowed it from a strict aunt.
2. No eating, please or be careful
Drivers dread the sound of paper wrappings and the smell of fries more than Nairobi traffic.
“You spill just a little sauce, and it smells like garlic for a week,” says Esther Njoroge, who drives mostly around Kilimani. “I’ve had riders spill sauces on my seats. I had to pay a lot to get the stains removed.”
3. Stop arguing about the route
Yes, you might know a shortcut. Everyone in Nairobi does. But the app knows where traffic is worst.
“Sometimes they insist I go through Luthuli Avenue at 5:00 pm. If I listen, we both end up frustrated.”
Mwangi advises riders to mention route preferences politely before the trip starts.
“And if you want to add stops, ask first. Some people add two or three, drop a friend, pick up shopping, grab something small. It’s not fair if we didn’t agree beforehand.”
A little courtesy goes a long way. Remember, the driver isn’t your personal chauffeur, unless you’ve agreed and paid for it.
4. Don’t take over the car
Adjusting the AC, opening all the windows, changing the radio station, or plugging in your phone without asking? Not a good look.
“It’s simple, just ask,” says Mwangi. “I’ll always make you comfortable if you say it politely.”
5. Respect time
Ordering the ride while you’re still “almost ready” is the classic Nairobi sin.
“You get there and the customer says, ‘Just give me two minutes,’” laughs Njoroge. “Two minutes becomes ten, then twenty. Then they come in angry. That’s fuel and patience gone.”
Best advice: Be ready before you hit confirm.
6. Don’t flirt with your driver
Yes, this happens, more often than you’d think.
“A guy once told me I had a nice smile and asked if I was single, while his wife sat in the back seat,” says one driver, rolling her eyes. “That’s why many drivers mind their business. Friendly chat? Sure. Creepy comments? Hard pass.”
Know your boundaries. Respect someone’s hustle. You don’t have to talk the whole ride.
7. Don’t leave a mess or your stuff
Empty water bottles, snack wrappers, and forgotten belongings top every driver’s frustration list.
“Someone once left a baby shoe. Just one,” Otieno recalls. “By the time they realised, I was already in Ngong. They called three hours later, asking if I could bring it back to Ruiru.”
Keep track of your belongings and your snacks. Don’t spill. Don’t leave trash.
8. Keep it down
You know that friend who talks loudly on speakerphone? Don’t be that friend in a cab.
“I don’t mean to eavesdrop, but I’ve heard full relationship breakups, business arguments, even gossip about other riders,” laughs Njoroge. “It’s like reality TV during my trips, people are so entertaining.”
9. Always rate and tip
That little five-star rating is more important than you think. It affects future trips and bonuses.
“A kind rating goes a long way,” says Mwangi. “Even a simple ‘thank you’ at the end makes my day.”
10. Don’t bring drama into the car
Arguing with your partner, shouting at your ex on speakerphone, barking orders at the driver to “step on it”, leave the chaos at the curb.
A cab isn’t a confession booth or a therapy session on wheels. The space is small, and your energy, good or bad, fills it fast.
“The car is small,” one driver jokes, glancing at the rearview mirror. “Your energy fills the space. If it’s bad energy, we both suffocate.”
Drivers say the most uncomfortable moments aren’t traffic jams or bad roads, it’s when passengers bring their storms inside.
Some fight on the phone the whole ride. Others cry quietly in the back seat. A few simply... pass out after a wild night.
“People forget this is still someone’s workplace,” says another driver. “If you’re drunk, don’t puke and pretend it didn’t happen. If you need to sleep, fine, but at least say so, so I know.”
The car might feel private, but it’s shared. Keep it peaceful. In the end, cab rides are built on a simple exchange: your comfort for their service.
Drivers aren’t just steering, they’re juggling traffic, customer care, and personal safety all at once.
So, next time you hop into that back seat, close the door softly, say hello, and treat the ride like the brief partnership it is. After all, the road is already stressful enough; no need to make it personal.
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