Normally travelling and working overseas opens up a correspondent reporter's mind to new experiences.

As our Africa correspondent Martin Cuddihy likes to say: "the job takes you to a few places you probably wouldn't pay to go and see".

It can be a richly rewarding experience and that had been the case in all areas of Cuddihy's life — until he took the bus in Nairobi. He shares his sometimes frightening experiences of dodging the seemingly lawless bus drivers.

Kenya has turned me into a bigot and I'm not proud of it.

I have developed a hatred that simply wasn't there before — I simply detest buses. Yes, public transport that is so good for commuters and for the environment, but still the hatred grows every time I take to the streets on Nairobi.

Now, before you start calling ABC to complain about bogan journalists being let loose on Sub-Saharan Africa, let me put things in perspective.

Buses in Africa (or matatus in Swahili) are often decorated with gaudy illustrations. ( ABC News: Dingani Maluku )

These public buses are privately owned by cooperatives. And they have no regard for the law — none whatsoever.

Matatus, as they are known in Swahili, drive like maniacs. They speed, cut you off and regularly pull out in front of you so suddenly that you have to stand up on the brake pedal.

In bad traffic, a man who shouts to drum up business will get out and physically block cars so the matatu can get through.

Taking the wheel aboard 'Hitler', 'Osama' and 'Gaddafi'

It's hard to miss the brightly coloured buses driving around Nairobi. ( ABC News: Dingani Maluku )

I can remember sitting in traffic once, and the matatu in front of rolled back into my car and then just took off.

Good manners usually means you at least pretend to check and see if there has been any damage.

Many have gaudy illustrations and flashing lights. Others loud horns and blaring music.

Some have names like Lupita, after the Kenyan Oscar winner Lupita N'yongo.

One is even called Gaddafi. Another is Osama and a cherry coloured mini bus goes by the name Hitler.

You're probably starting to get my point.

And to be fair, it's not just me.

A line of buses wait in traffic in Nairobi. ( ABC News: Martin Cuddihy )

Kenda Mutongi has studied the perceptions of Matatu Operators for the Journal of the International African Institute.

She has a PhD in African history so is eminently more qualified than I am to write: "Matatu operators are typically viewed … by Kenyans of all ranks as thugs who exploit and mistreat passengers and participate in gang or mafia-like violence".

Once I saw a matatu driving through central Nairobi with about 100 motorbike taxis (boda bodas) chasing the mini van. The riders had sticks and were bashing the panels and shouting.

At first I thought it was funny — I asked my driver why he thought there the harassment was happening. He looked at me shrugged.

"The matatu driver probably ran over a boda boda," he said.

"That's the only reason they would be chasing him."

Matatus drivers send you 'bonkers'

In bad traffic, men will get out and physically block cars so the buses can get through. ( ABC News: Dingani Maluku )

There are plenty of urban legends and myths about the crews of matatus colluding with criminals to rob every passenger of everything.

Earlier this month a group of boys were returning to boarding school after the holidays when the passengers stole everything of value from the students who were then assaulted.

Somehow the driver and tout both escaped unharmed. Police are investigating, but it probably won't go anywhere.

I have a Scottish friend here in Nairobi. He has lived in east Africa for more than 20 years, and has a daughter the same age as my son — three.

In the course of a short journey, my friend taught my son that all matatus are crazy and he taught him a new word: "bonkers".

Now every time the lad sees a matutu the call will come from the back seat: "Bonkers".

And the same Scottish mate told me his desire for when he eventually decides to head back to the UK.

On his way to the airport — on the last time he will ever set foot in Kenya — he plans to leave a trail of destruction.

He's going to buy and old Landrover and install a serious bull bar and while driving hit every single matatu on the way to the airport.

He will then abandon the car and fly out never to be seen again.

Not such a bad idea ... what do you reckon?