Many Kenyan drivers and passengers have questioned the purpose of unusually placed rearview mirrors on commercial vans like matatus, but these mirrors are crucial for operating these large vehicles safely.

• These mirrors, often convex, are essential for covering large blind spots inherent in the design of long vans with solid rear sections.
• They significantly improve drivers' ability to monitor surrounding traffic, detect hazards like cyclists, and aid in low-speed maneuvers such as parking.
• While modern commercial vans are increasingly adopting rear-view cameras and sensors, traditional mirrors offer reliable, zero-latency visual feedback without electronic dependency.