The matatu culture in Kenya represents more than public transport; it is a vibrant aspect of urban life and culture.
From the art on these vehicles, it is evident that the artists enjoy their work and show off by using the matatus as big drawing books!
So what is Matatu culture or Nganya? To describe them, matatus in Kenya are moving clubs with loud music, culturally significant, celebrate music, influencing politics, fashion, and Language.
All these are fueled by the Kenyan youth since they are the main audience of the nganya culture in Kenya.
The best matatus in Kenya are known for their vibrant graffiti, clever wordplay slogans, powerful engines, and comfortable seats.
Nganya in Kenya has attracted residents and visitors who want to experience the hype that Nairobians enjoy.
Kenyan mayangas or Nganya are the finest matatus in Africa, and Naicef ensures you have a taste of greatness while touring in or outside Nairobi.
These matatus have created a sense of uniqueness across Africa to the point that the latest matatus in Kenya are awarded at the annual Nganya Festival.
After a long day, it’s no surprise to find Kenyans dancing inside the matatus or even waiting for the right one at the stage! Because they are a ‘positive vibration!’ in Bob Marley’s voice.
What will touch you the most are the words written on some of the matatus’ headers.
Most words written acknowledge God literally saying, ‘Jesus, take the wheel’ because if He doesn’t, the car will swerve right into destruction. God forbid!
And of course, the hype on launch day is exciting, causing traffic and excitement from the youths as they take videos and photos of the new car design.
The drivers and conductors love their work like how SpongeBob loved his work. The vibes are evident, so there’s no room for Mr Squidward! Proceeds to laugh like Mr. Krabs!
Big up to Nganya Kenya and Matwana Culture for shining the spotlight on one of the best and latest matatus in Kenya!
Tell them Naicef offers the best Matatu Cultural Tour and Nganya Tours in Kenya.
Whenever you hear the drivers, touts, and socials rumours saying, ‘gari imeenda riko’, it means the car has taken a break to come back in a new design. Await the hype launch for a great tour.
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Evolution Of Matatu Culture In Kenya
First, let us describe what a matatu is.
What is a matatu?
A matatu, or a ma3 as it’s called, is a privately owned minibus artistically decorated with famous characters and slogans written in Sheng’ language (slang).
Matatus in Africa trace their origin back to the 1960s, but in Kenya, matatus operated in the 1990s.
The matatu culture in Kenya was backed up by the influence of hip-hop music. They have set routes where they operate from, across Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.
The routes they ply are licensed by NTSA to collect people and make stops along routes where the conductors, better known as, ‘donda’, collect passengers.
The role of nganya in Kenya is transportation in the urban areas, and it is a social hub where passengers share stories, forming communities.
The Matatu Culture In Kenya- Best Matatus In Kenya
Drumrolls please. Below are the latest matatus in Kenya and their uniqueness.
1. Opposite Manunda- Kenya’s Number One
Known for the slogan, ‘Am I extra or are you basic?’ and dubbed CA, representing Canadian Airways.
Opposite has maintained its position as Kenya’s number one nganya in Kenya, 3 times in a row! The red matatu swerves its way around Nairobi, taking the Umoja route.
Dubbed as Kenya’s 001 Manunda, Opposite Nganya has attracted lots of attention in Kenya. It is commonly known for its red and white colours, raising the Kenyan flag, and is decorated with the Canadian flag and a gangster Pope drawing at the back.
Moreover, there are gangster nuns drawn, signalling, ‘We are number one, and it’s NUN-negotiable!’ Ha!, and angel babies drawn at the side with guns and cupids. The slogans, with wordplay, are the hype.
You’ll hear the phrase, ‘Kenya’s number 1 siku zombotote’ meaning, ‘Kenya’s number one always!’
Do you want the best Nairobi matatu cultural city tour in Opposite? Get it here
2. MoneyFest- The Dollar Van
‘Money talks; we translate’ is the famous slogan for this nganya in Kenya.
Noticed by the dollar sign $, MoneyFest is one of the popular Nganya in Kenya, taking the Ngong Road route.
J Lo, as she’s called, Jennifer Lopez, sang about money in her song Dinero. The song hits different in MoneyFest because money doesn’t lie.
Known for its dollar-coated graffiti, MoneyFest fits into the category of matatu culture in Kenya, where the love of money is celebrated. But who doesn’t love money?
On the side, a drawing of what is supposed to be the famous Marilyn Monroe is seen holding the famous Bitcoin.
Along the road, as it swerves past the cars, be sure to get to your destination in the blink of an eye!
Need manifestation of money? A swerve with MoneyFest might just lead you to the money bank.
Do you want the best Nairobi matatu cultural city tour in Moneyfest? Get it here
3. Mood
Here goes the ‘No Risk, No Story’ purple nganya in Kenya. Mood is one of the latest matatus in Kenya that captured the attention of many with its amazing sound systems and wild graffiti.
Call it extra, but Mood also made an appearance at the Nairobi National Park for its ‘birthday’. Yeah, Nganyas in Kenya are special!
Interestingly, there are 38,000 reasons why Mood is one of the best matatus in Kenya! Moreover, Mood is dubbed as one of Kenya’s Opposite’s bodyguards, together with MoneyFest, because at the end of the day, Opposite is in a league of its own.
So, are you in the Mood for a purple ride? Mood takes the Embakasi route for the Kenyan residents.
Do you want the best Nairobi matatu cultural city tour in Mood? Get it here
4. Phenomenal
As its slogan says, ‘Far From Reality’, get ready to have the music’s 808’s bussin from one of the best matatus in Kenya.
Do you know the song, ‘Can’t Stop The Feeling?’ by Justin Timberlake? This green-coated sound beast has impressive sound systems that make you feel the music to your bones, literally.
Kenya’s sound beast presents one of the baddest Nganyas, Phenomenal. This green sound beast takes the Ngong route for the Kenyan residents.
If you think your sound system is loud and cool, think again, because it’s no match for Phenomenal’s sound system. As the name suggests, Phenomenal is one of a kind when it comes to sounds, and its graffiti is impressive.
Coated in green, Phenomenal has dominated the Ngong route, and wherever it passes, people think it’s a moving club because of the music and lights.
So yes, from Metro Boomin’s impressive 808s, Wakadinali’s beats to Glorilla’s deep Memphis rap accents, you’ll hear them all with ease and actually love the songs!
Do you want the best Nairobi matatu cultural city tour in Phenomenal? Get it here
5. Moxie
Now, Who is this pink gangster girl on the road? It’s none other than the famous Kinara, Moxie. Kinara is a Swahili dialect meaning Prefect.
Moxie means courageous spirit and determination in slang, and I couldn’t agree more! This is one of the matatus in Africa that celebrates pink colour and is fancy and gangster, but either way, the design is one of a kind.
Kenyans, anytime you want to visit Ongata Rongai, let Moxie calm and comfort you with its pink colours!
Do you want the best Nairobi matatu cultural city tour in Moxie? Get it here
6. Optimus Prime
Random person: Who is the fabled commander of the heroic Autobots?
Optimus: I am Optimus Prime, from planet Cybertron
Being one of the Cybertron-style nganya in Kenya, Optimus Prime has attracted robot lovers and comic nerds, too.
Coated in blue and red, this is one of the latest matatus that is designed differently from the ordinary matatus. Therefore, this suggests that matatu culture in Kenya follows no rules, just creativity to the core.
Applause to the geniuses behind this!
I recall the grand entrance of Optimus Prime, and all I could relate to was the Transformers‘ grand intro.
Pretty sleek, don’t you think?
Do you want the best Nairobi matatu cultural city tour in Optimus Prime? Get it here
7. Bomaye
‘Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee’ are the words engraved on one of the best matatus in Kenya. Just to mention, the matatu culture in Kenya pays tribute to famous characters and celebrities who have made positive impacts in their generation.
Bomaye is no exception to that because it pays tribute to the late three-time heavyweight boxing champion with an impressive 56-win record, Muhammad Ali.
This is one of the matatus in Africa that Kenyans pride in capturing the best glimpses of the life of the late Muhammad Ali, his famous quotes, and not to forget, drawings of his famous world record belts.
So, if you want to affirm, ‘I’m young, handsome, fast, can’t possibly be beat,’ ride with Bomaye to Umoja, for the best matatu experience.
Do you want the best Nairobi matatu cultural city tour in Bomaye? Get it here
8. Plank- Shabadoo
Ah, the Russian boy Juan covered in cartoons screaming, ‘Mwosho Mmoja’, our very own Plank! Mwosho Mmoja is a Swahili Dialect meaning, ‘One wash’
If I ever go to Bikini Bottom, I’d better let Mr. PLANKton know he has a sleek ride with his name on it. Ha!
This yellow jaw breaker is one of the best matatus in Kenya, from the Gorilla family, taking the Umoja route, has a reputation for having funny slang lines on its windows and interior.
The lights command respect from afar to let you know, ‘vitu latest latest’ meaning, ‘The latest things’
Plank is one of the matatus in Africa that shines the spotlight on Cartoon Network characters, reminding most of us of the awesome childhood we had!
Do you want the best Nairobi matatu cultural city tour in Plank Shabadoo? Get it here
9. X Treme
Is a German machine making its way as one of the best matatus in Kenya? That’s eX-TREMEly outrageous! But there happens to be one!
The creativity the designer had on this one was free like Morgan, because of the Morgan Freeman drawing. Get it, ha!
The design obviously shows another side of the matatu culture in Kenya. From the drawings of Harley Quinn to the slogan, RongRende, which means gangster, X-treme shows that the culture continues with every service it provides.
Do you want the best Nairobi matatu cultural city tour in X Treme? Get it here
10. Baba Yaga- John For The Wick
Another one of the latest matatus in Kenya celebrates the legendary John Wick film series.
‘I once saw him kill three men with a pencil,’ a slogan and one of the famous lines of John Wick, is engraved on this matatu at the driver’s seat.
A clear indication of the matatu culture in Kenya, celebrating John Wick and his exemplary performance in the film.
Need nostalgia for the film? Let Baba Yaga do that for you, especially if you are coming from Rongai.
Do you want the best Nairobi matatu cultural city tour in Baba Yaga? Get it here
Conclusion
In conclusion, the matatus in Africa, specifically in Kenya, celebrate characters and celebrities from all over. These are the top 10 best matatus in Kenya that are hyped up for real.
Other matatus have drawings of the famous Biggie Smalls, Aaliyah, Whitney Houston, Kendrick Lamar, J Cole and other famous characters like Super Mario and others.
Not to mention, these matatus are always up for a nice time, whether on road trips or any other occasion.
When visiting Kenya, let one of the latest matatus in Kenya pick you up from the airport and get a sense of the vibe the matatu culture in Kenya has in store for you.
A wild ride, innit!
So, contact my@naicef.com or call +254799922277 for the best nganya experience to Kenya.
Here is a skeleton package which can be curated to fit travellers who might want to have the best matatu experience in Kenya.
| Time | Expectation |
| 8:00 AM- 10:00 AM | Depart from the Nairobi CBD stage in one of the chosen nganya in Kenya. Proceed to the Karen Blixen Museum as your first stop. Arrive at the Karen Blixen Museum for the first Nairobi half-day experience. |
| 10:00 AM- 12:00 PM
| Later on, swerve to the Nairobi Museum for the mid-morning session. Session at Nairobi National Museum. |
| 1:00 PM | Afterwards, swerve to the KICC for an experiential afternoon. Break for lunch |
| 2:00 PM- 3:00 PM
| Enjoy the afternoon experiencing the matatu tours around Nairobi with the daily routine, inside everyday lives of Kenyans Conclude the day |
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Apart from the matatu culture in Kenya, see Naicef’s best culture packages in Kenya
- 3 Days Masai Mara Cultural Safari
- Mombasa 3 day cultural package
- 3 days Western Kenya cultural tour package
- Aberdare cultural tour
- 3 days Amboseli National Park culture tour
Frequently Asked Questions About Matatu Culture In Kenya
Here are the frequently asked questions about the Nganya in Kenya.
1. What is the matatu culture in Kenya?
The matatu culture in Kenya thrives on creativity from creative artists who decorate the matatus in vibrant ways. Loud music is another essential of the culture, from reggae, hip hop, to gospel. Also, the drivers and conductors are important figures in matatu culture.
2. Which is Kenya’s number one nganya?
Opposite Manunda is Kenya’s 001 winning 3 times in a row at the Nganya Festival.
3. Which are the latest matatus in Kenya?
Opposite Manunda, Optimus Prime, Plank, Baba Yaga, Mood and Phenomenal.
4. Where are the best matatus in Africa found in?
Kenya has one of the best matatu cultures in Africa, known for their loud music and creative arts.
5. Which is the best Nganya in Kenya?
Opposite Manunda, Kenya’s 001 raises Kenya’s flag high as the best nganya in Kenya!
