Some matatu operators plying the Ngong Road-Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) route have decried discrimination within the matatu industry.
The operators allege that two matatus branded as Money Fest and Raptor owned by the son of a prominent government official blatantly break traffic laws in broad daylight despite the presence of traffic police officers.
Operators at Railway Bus Station further alleged that police are afraid of impounding the vehicles or arresting the operators for fear of losing their jobs or being transferred.
One operator claimed that the drivers of these matatus are more powerful than the police.
Additionally, they said that these vehicles lack Public Service Vehicle (PSV) insurance, do not belong to any Sacco, and lack a Road Service License (RSL).
The matatus allegedly drop passengers in the middle of the Railways roundabout and reverse in front of police officers to pick up passengers.
Normally, vehicles at the Railways stage have to queue for up to four hours to pick up passengers. However, according to operators, the two vehicles do not follow this rule.
These matatus allegedly disregard the rule, bypassing other operators who have been waiting for hours in line, leaving them to watch helplessly.
What are these Money Fest Vehicles and what are some of their Features?
The flashy Money Fest matatu is a vibrant and uniquely customized minibus operating on the Ngong Road – Nairobi CBD route.
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Launched a week ago at a big party in Nairobi CBD, Money Fest is fitted with 55-inch side television screens and six Pioneer Ts3004-D4 subwoofers to provide top-notch entertainment for passengers, among other accessories.
Different from your normal matatu, its body, interior and lighting are modified to enhance its aesthetics and ensure comfort for passengers.
According to Matatu consultancy firm named Matwana Culture, the jav, with a dominant yellow color, features airbrush portraits on the body designed by a popular artist i@deliberatepracticeitis, with sound and visuals expertly crafted by @aceaudiokenya, and Fyam (the horns) and lighting managed by Jaramba.
The paintings on its body depict dollar notes both in the exterior and inside the bus in line with the theme “Money Fest”.
On its windscreen, a chameleon tint and the phrase “The World is Yours” stands out to raise questions on how the vehicle was approved by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).
The bus carries 33 passengers with a load capacity of 3,330 kilograms and have a tare weight of 4,600 kilograms.
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Additionally, the bus has two axles that maintain the position of the wheels relative to each other and to the bus body.
More about the Bus & Driver
The bus was manufactured in 2024, is of Isuzu make and was registered with the National Transport Safety Authority (NTSA) on June 14, 2024. However, its exterior has accessories from different manufacturers including Sinotruck Howo side mirrors and specially designed grille to give it the face needed to place it in the discussion of “Kenya One” contenders.
One of the drivers popularly known as Kabro, is a popular nganya driver. Known for his social media skits, Kabro is now a famous name in the Matatu industry, having been the driver of other poplar matatus including one named Boom Box which used to ply the Nairobi-Rongai route, and recently Thunder or Inspector Mwewe also plying the same route.
While a section of Nairobi residents embraces the culture of flashy buses which often play loud music, some are against the demeanor exhibited by the crew and multiple cases where they have been caught flouting traffic rules and endangering the safety of other motorists.
In discussions on social media, the Ngong matatu is already featuring in discussions on which matatu should be awarded the Kenya One award, which is traditionally given to fan’s favorite matatu.
Also in contention is a matatu plying the Embakasi route 33 named Matrix and the current holder of the title named Opposite that plies the CBD-Umoja 35/60 route.
By the time of publishing, NTSA was yet to make comment on the claims raised by the matatu operators.
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