Weithaga Boys High School in Murang’a County has attracted widespread attention after videos emerged showing a fleet of Nairobi’s popular nganyas arriving at the school to transport students home on closing day.
The videos, as seen by The Kenya Times, capture the customized buses parked outside the school compound as students gathered around them in excitement.
Learners are seen dancing and cheering while loud music plays from the vehicles, many of which feature the snake lights associated with Nairobi’s nganya culture. Residents also turned up to witness the unusual convoy.
The students were on their way home for the August holiday, which marks the end of the second term. For an area known to be usually quiet, the fleet of pimped buses created a spectacle that quickly went viral on social media.
The latest videos are not an isolated incident, as schools have previously used nganyas to transport students, with similar buses seen at the institution during the half-term break.
Some of the popular matatus in the fleet included: 1977 (Kayole Junction), Bape (Embakasi), Logan (Kasarani), Syndicate (Embakasi), Moxie (Embakasi), Ferrari (Rongai), Captain America (Ruiru), Steps (private van), Funka (Kasarani), and a host of other 14-seater vans.
Mixed Reactions From Kenyans Over Nganyas Culture
The spectacle has sparked mixed reactions online, with Kenyans split between those who viewed it as a memorable experience for students and those who questioned the safety and appropriateness of the move.
A Facebook user, Karuri, praised the school’s decision, saying it demonstrated that students could embrace modern culture while maintaining discipline.
Also Read: George Ruto’s Driver Explains How Nganyas Can Make Upto 100K in a Day
“Supporting culture with discipline is allowed. Big up Weithaga Boys for being trendsetters.”
Another Kenyan, Mary Wanjiru, reflected on her own school days, saying students in her time would never have been allowed to enjoy such an experience.
“Our teachers were too strict. They would never have allowed us to enjoy ourselves like this.”
Sam Kariuki defended the arrangement, expressing confidence that the nganyas would be operated responsibly because the drivers had been given strict instructions.
“These machines have disciplined drivers, and they have been given rules to ensure all the boys arrive safely in Nairobi. Just wait and watch how they are driven on the road.”
Others, however, expressed reservations.
Bernice Msoo questioned whether hiring the customized buses was a prudent use of parents’ money.
“This is parents’ money being wasted. Let them leave school first and experience life for six months.”
Joseph Maina said he hoped the excitement would be matched by equally strong academic performance.
“I hope they will perform just as well academically.”
Van Marto raised concerns about exposing students to nganya culture and questioned why some of the buses’ modifications remain on the roads.
“I wouldn’t want my son to be part of this kind of culture. I wonder why NTSA hasn’t banned those snake lights.”
Previous Safety Concerns Around Nganya Culture
Nairobi’s nganya culture has remained a subject of debate due to several road safety incidents involving customized public service vehicles.
Last month, a popular nganya known as Detat overturned along Enterprise Road in Nairobi’s Industrial Area, leaving several people dead and others injured.
Witnesses alleged that the matatu had been speeding and weaving through traffic moments before the crash. The Kenya Red Cross confirmed that emergency response teams were deployed to the mass-casualty scene.
Witnesses also claimed several passengers had been hanging outside the vehicle shortly before it overturned.
Nganyas have also faced regulatory scrutiny from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) over modifications such as graffiti, tinted windows, neon lighting, snake lights, and other alterations that the authority says can hinder vehicle identification and enforcement.
In April, the High Court upheld NTSA’s directive requiring public service vehicles to comply with regulations governing such modifications, citing public safety concerns.
There have also been several crashes involving customized matatus on major highways, including an incident in which a matatu overturned near the Westlands toll station on the Nairobi Expressway.
Also Read: Parliament Explains Law Banning Matatu Graffiti After Ruto Order
NTSA Intensifies Holiday Road Safety Crackdown
Earlier in the week, the NTSA announced a nationwide road safety operation ahead of the August school holidays, when learners were expected to travel home.
In a statement issued on July 23, the authority said the operation will be conducted in collaboration with the National Police Service, County Transport and Safety Committees, and other stakeholders under the ongoing Operation Watoto Wafike Salama campaign.
“As part of the ongoing Operation Watoto Wafike Salama Campaign, the Authority, in collaboration with the National Police Service, County Transport and Safety Committees, and other stakeholders, will intensify road safety compliance checks and public awareness campaigns along major transport corridors,” NTSA said.
According to the authority, enforcement teams were to conduct heightened patrols and random inspections targeting vehicles transporting children to ensure they meet all road safety requirements.
Officers would inspect speed limiters, seat belts, tires, brakes, lights, and other mandatory safety features. They will also enforce laws against speeding, overloading, drunk driving, driver fatigue, and other traffic offenses.
In addition, officers were to verify driving licenses, Public Service Vehicle (PSV) badges, road service licenses, and vehicle inspection certificates to ensure transport operators comply with the law.
NTSA also said it would intensify public awareness campaigns to encourage motorists to observe road safety rules during the holiday travel period.
The authority urged parents, guardians, school transport providers, motorists, and the public to exercise extra caution, warning that increased travel during school closures raises the risk of road traffic crashes involving learners.
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