Apart from seeing ‘mating lions’, foreigners now want to enjoy wild matatu rides

A ride inside a matatu is fast becoming one of the ‘must do’ activities for most foreigners visiting Nairobi.

Nairobi, with a population of over four million people, has 175 routes served by over 12,000 matatus and buses. A majority in the city use matatus to move around.

And now – some foreigners are already joining the bandwagon of travellers using matatus – only that they do it for the thrill.

Many are often ‘shocked’ – to find these noisy rides fitted with aquariums, giant sunroofs, speakers, CCTV, video monitors, TV screens and state-of-the-art music players.

A few foreigners have been spotted taking ‘panicked rides’ inside matatus – proof that these rides are slowly adding to Kenya’s rich basket of beautiful sceneries and cultures.

The foreigners are loving the thrill of hoping into these pimped up rides; a once in a lifetime experience that you can only find in Kenya.

It’s a unique culture often served through a wide range of ear-deafening music and frequent swerves on the roads.

“I have carried a few foreigners, and you can see the thrill and shock in their eyes. The loud music and big TV screens is something I think they are not used to seeing in their countries,” said Peter Karanja, a conductor plying the Nairobi-Kikuyu route.  

Adding that: “Many of them especially get shocked whenever they see passengers dropping and boarding matatus even before the vehicle comes to a stop. It shocks them to see how we operate here,” added Karanja.

“You will see some of them covering their mouths in disbelief, and shaking their heads. Other just nod to the music and sing along,” he says.

Matatu drivers and touts never disappoint whenever they notice they are carrying these visitors from Europe, Asia, America and other African countries.

The signature displays of graffiti bearing faces of local and international celebrities – and a cocktail of lights – which only come to life at night, only add to the complex mix that is matatu culture.

“These are not just vehicles, they are a work of art. It’s a culture that is unique to Nairobi and we must embrace it,” says Karanja.

The race to spruce up the ever evolving matatu culture in Nairobi has seen different routes compete to outdo each other in the business. For instance, there is the general belief that mat za Rongai are better pimped up than those from Kayole, Dandora, and Buru buru, although the jury is still out there.

Meanwhile, there are those who feel that old squeaky matatus operating in Nairobi are diluting the rich matatu culture. Others, however, disagree, arguing that all matatus; old and new, are what make up the unique matatu culture in Kenya.