Last Friday night, the downtown CBD was a MOOD! Huge crowds flocked to the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), spilling over to the adjacent roads.

The streets were busy, and the Gen Zs had once again reclaimed the CBD, resulting in a huge snarl-up and eventually, a standstill. 

For a moment there, you would think it was one of those ‘Must-go’ or Wantam’ revolution protests that have been the order of the day since last year’s anti-Finance Bill protests.

But no, this time, there were no teargas, no chants of ‘Justice’ and ‘Freedom’, no placards, and the police were nowhere in sight.  

On the contrary, the mostly Gen Z crowd were singing along and dancing to bass-heavy music from loudspeakers everywhere, smartphones and cameras in hand, with everyone trying to get a glimpse of and capture Tik-Tok worthy videos of the newest graffiti-covered beast of matatus. MOOD. 

It was a one-of-a-kind launch that turned the city into a concert zone, the Project X-kind of events where anything can happen, and the senior citizens could do nothing but watch their children go berserk.

And of course, where there is a party, the youth will definitely show up. 

“It was a matatu cultural day, not politics,” said an online user. Another adds, “We showed up for the culture because it has always been there and should not, by means, be affiliated with politics.” 

The matatu, otherwise called a ‘Nganya’, which is believed to be owned by President Ruto’s son, George Ruto, is not just your typical matatu; it’s more of a club on wheels. 

Coming at a cost of approximately Ksh14 million, MOOD is designed to revolutionise transport in Kenya by embracing modern luxury. 

It comes equipped with custom bucket seats fitted with cup holders and USB charging ports, full air conditioning, a push-to-start ignition system, back-up solar power, and a live DJ booth built right at the front seat next to the driver.

Not to mention leather interior seats that you only see on racing cars and luxe heavy machines. 

Peers’ acceptance 

Its exterior is also a sight to behold, especially for the youth (an eyesore, some apparently say), with graffiti paint and LED lights, adding a touch of colour and elegance.

Mood is said to be the latest addition to George’s fleet of high-end matatus, including ‘Matrix’ and ‘Moneyfest’. 

Behind the flashy scenes from the unveiling lies a deeper story and a concern that has sparked a lot of mixed reactions from the public, including a sect of the youth. 

While the matatu culture, characterised by vibrant graffiti, customised interiors, and loud music, goes way back to the 90s, it is loved and at the same time feared. 

A significant number of the youth prefer hyped Nganyas over the traditional buses and PSVs, citing several reasons, including their love for Kenya’s pop culture, convenience, and the thrill that comes with it. 

“I’m for the culture because it’s all fun and games. I prefer Nganya over the Mbogi Bs because of the comfort and entertainment that comes with it,” says Angelo Francis, a student at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. 

He further explains that besides the aesthetics, the modern-day matatus are fast and convenient, especially when one is in a hurry, because they know how to navigate traffic regardless of routes and peak hours. 

Teressia Mungai, a student at Multimedia University of Kenya, explains that she vibes more with Nganyas mostly because of the influence from friends, as well as the speed. 

“I commute every day from home to school, and the distance is always crazy when there is traffic. When I use the Nganyas, which mostly operate at a speed of light, I find them very convenient since I get to save on time,” she explains, admitting that she uses them out of peer pressure.  

“When you use Nganyas, you are seen as a cool guy who knows the trends, and so I’m always curious about discovering new rides on the block.”

Pimped Nganyas are high on hype and continue to influence the youth culturally and socially, but they are not without their downfalls. 

Security has always been the greatest concern, as most of the matatus have been accused of being reckless and flouting traffic rules, thus putting the passengers’ lives at risk. 

Early this year, ‘Moneyfest’ and another matatu linked to George Ruto were impounded by the NTSA (National Transport and Safety Authority) 

Following uproar from the public who were concerned about potential dangers from such uncalled-for behaviour, including over speeding, swerving across lanes, loud music and shouts from the touts, which cause distractions, and the apparent ignoring of cues from traffic officers. 

“The matatu is epic for sure, but why does it lack a number plate, route number, or Sacco? Does Kenya have its owners?” questioned one user.

And in May, NTSA had in a public notice, ordered the immediate removal of graffiti and tinted windows, and additional lights on all PSVs, in addition to avoiding loud music.

This directive was part of a broader effort to enhance road safety, but was later halted by the High Court in Nairobi. 

“We have a reason to be concerned because it is our children who are boarding these matatus. They are exposed to decibel sound levels from the music, which can cause hearing impairments,” complains Andrew Lipale, a parent to Gen Zs.  

Lipale adds that some of the vehicles operate at a neck-breaking speed. 

“The youth who use it as well as the drivers and the crew have long accepted that safety is not part of the package, you see how they behave hanging from the matatus. It is worrying.” 

These concerns also come just after a popular conductor identified as Mavela tragically died after being run over by another pimped matatu named ‘Restoration’ during the MOOD Nganya celebrations.  

While safety concerns have been an emerging issue, politics have also come into play from a section of the public who feel like the timing of the launch was questionable, noting that it is somewhat an insult to citizens who are suffering social, human, and economic injustices from the Kenya Kwanza government.