George Ruto's Mood, 5 Other Hottest Matatus in Nairobi
- George Ruto’s launch of Mood stirred up Nairobi’s matatu scene, reigniting old rivalries and fresh admiration
- From Umoja’s legendary Opposite to Rongai’s cinematic John Wick, each nganya tells a story through graffiti, lighting, and booming sound
- As Mood joins the lineup of beasts on wheels, fans are left wondering who will wear the crown in Kenya’s loudest, flashiest turf war
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The launch of George Ruto’s Mood matatu has reignited discussions about Nairobi’s rich matatu culture.
Source: UGC
The hottest Public Service Vehicles (PSVs), also known as nganyas, must tick several boxes to be considered the crème de la crème.
The first is the graffiti, which has to be eye-catching. Other considerations on the outside include the body fabrication, lighting, and offcut rims.
On the interior, the entertainment system, comprising the sound and TV screens, determines a vehicle’s ranking.
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The human resource aspect, including the drivers and conductors, is also vital in winning the loyalty of clients.
TUKO.co.ke looked at some of Kenya’s hottest matatus, listed in no particular order:
1. Opposite
Opposite is arguably the most decorated matatu on Kenyan roads at the moment. The Umoja PSV features a red and white color scheme inspired by the Canadian flag.
Opposite won the Kenya One title three times in a row and is still a favorite to be crowned the winner this year.
However, it has been a tumultuous couple of weeks for Opposite, as its driver, Evanso Carter, left, and the much-loved conductor Mavela died after being run over by another matatu.
2. Moxie
Despite the vehicle in Nairobi’s East reigning supreme, Ongata Rongai has not lost its shine.
Moxie, featuring a pink and black theme, made a splash with its recent launch.
Behind the wheel is Kinara, who previously worked with George’s Raptor Family fleet of matatus.
Source: Facebook
3. Money Fest
This list would not be complete without Money Fest, the most notorious matatu in recent memory.
Owned by George, Money Fest made a splash just like Mood when it debuted.
It had several run-ins with the law but has kept a low profile in recent times.
Money Fest has a distinct front design, colorful graffiti, and a hyper crew. It operates on the Embakasi route.
Source: Instagram
4. John Wick
The Rongai matatu draws inspiration from Keanu Reeves’s iconic movie character.
Also known as Baba Yaga, John Wick and Moxie have been going head-to-head, proving that Rongai’s matatus should not be slept on.
Source: Facebook
5. Extreme
Extreme makes an unlikely entrance on the list as it plies the Kitengela route.
Extreme, also known as Shimoli (calf), has an eye-catching pink paint scheme.
Its crew is also known for their hype.
Source: Instagram
6. Detroit
The Rongai matatu is inspired by the Detroit Lions, a National Football League team.
It matches their blue and white color scheme.
Other honorable mentions include Umoja’s Plank and Embakasi’s Dice and Matrix.
Source: Facebook
What did Mavela say about mortuary?
Source: Facebook
In other news, a haunting Facebook post by the late Umoja conductor Mavela resurfaced, sparking emotion among fans.
In it, he posed proudly with the famous Opposite matatu, dressed in a white and red outfit while holding a Kenyan flag.
His lyrical caption, drawn from a Wakadinali song, eerily referenced the mortuary.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
