2022
Here in Nairobi we use public service vehicles known as Matatu/Mathree
There are 3 categories of matatus
14 seater(van)
33 seater(minibus)
56 seater(bus)
The ones that ply within the city are mostly the 33 and 56 seater
The minibuses are the most popular and those that have been customized are known as Nganya
The kind of customizations include
-flashing and screaming grafiti
-screens on each seat
-loud music
-strobe lights in and out of the matatu
-screens on the floor
-smoke machines
-Wifi
-muzzled exhaust pipes
Every matatu that's a Nganya(heavily customized) is unique as its sort of a competition for commuters so that the flashiest and the most well maintained (fastest) fill up with commuters faster than the less flashy and less noisy making a matatu ride an adrenaline rush of some sort as they are driven fast so as to fully utilize the traffic rush hours.
There are music videos that have been done about Matatus too as well as tv shows even features from international media. Largely this is an employment opportunity for young people that employs thousands since such customizing is not cheap, some have reportedly cost up to 90,000 USD as an investment ... Its a form of expression that's uniquely Kenyan.
If you visit Nairobi hook up with a local and get to experience a matatu ride you wont regret.
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