One of the most colourful of the many unique things about urban youth is the matatu culture that has seen even international celebrities and prominent personalities tour the country to experience. The latest star to ride in a matatu was Trey Songz during his tour of the country last September.
In Kenya, matatus - or mats - are not just a mode of transport but also an entertainment statement. They idolise celebrities, latest showbiz trends and music videos in town, coolest gigs and also represent the hottest 'hood in Nairobi.
There are some that are exclusively 'gospel', as they only play gospel music videos and have pictures and other decorations themed along the latest gospel hits.
As the matatu evolution in Nairobi hits a new high, we now have cool drivers and touts as well as service girls along different routes like the South B take-over Telaviv rides.
So why would somebody pay Sh100 fare to ride in a given matatu on a route where other public service vehicles charge Sh50 for the same distance? Why would a college or high school student wait at the stage for hours till their favourite matatu shows up?
One of the most popular matatus in town right now is Phantom, plying the City Centre - Rongai route. Its original purchase cost aside, Sh3 million iswhat it took to pimp it to its current breath-taking look. It has custom-made tablets behind all the seats and a sunscreen roof.
The Internet-enabled tabs allow passengers to browse en-route especially during heavy traffic, keeping them busy.
One driver, Kevin Mbugua, adds: "Since not all passengers are tech-savvy, some of the denim made seats are installed with custom made screens to watch their favourite music videos on the way."
'Phantom' is among the first 'mathrees' with pure interior and exterior art. See-through sunroofs let in enough light during day and provide a beautiful view at night.
Kevin Nyammo, the brains behind this golden art explains: "The shade of gold is pure art that involves playing around with brush, this is in order to remain ahead of the rest and prove that yester year's graffiti has been overtaken."
That is not all. 'Phanta Manela', another matatu that recently underwent redesign, has been the talk of town and already giving its rivals a run for their money.
Initially plying Umoja and City Centre routes, the new look 'Phanta Manela' the works of Bresson Choda Fabricators, has come with a change of route to the famous Ongata Rongai.
"It is the norm for 'mats' to undergo make-overs but the results so far are amazing. We are the first ones to design concave screens at the back that can reflect from real screens at the front" shares manager Johnson Warigi.
"While it takes up to seven weeks to achieve, our loyal customers are happy that we took the shortest possible time back on the road with a new look."
Ricky Choda of Choda Fabricators reveals that while many people think redesign adds weight to the vehicle, they use the right measurements and do proper re-fabricating of old matatus.
The trendy T-Bag that plies the Mlolongo-Kitengela-City Centre has left many ogling with its garish decorations. Its interior is like a fantasy house.
Late last year, lovers of matatu culture were amazed after actor Robber Knepper who played Theodore "T-Bag" Bagwell, in the popular series Prison Break hailed the city 'mat' dubbed 'after his name.
"Apparently this is a bus in Kenya," he posted on his Facebook page on December 19, 2016 after bumping into his portraits making the theme of the matatu's artworks.
"It was great honour to us that has made us one of the most respected matatu owners," Kevin Sucre, one of the association members told Mat3 Culture.
T- Bag's driver, Tommy adds: "Apart from the fame, we offer the best services to our customers, the Prison Break Artwork was our target to win lovers of the series."
If you thought 'mathree'-pimping ends with installing CCTV cameras and Wi-Fi gadgets, you are mistaken. Plying the City Centre-Rongai route, Catalyst, under Oromats Sacco is giving competitors a run for their money thanks to its exclusive and trendy features. No wonder America's Trey Songz could not get enough of it.
It is fitted with LED screens on the floor where passengers step on to sit on cosy seats fitted with small screens on the back making them a total of 40 screens including a 52-inch Television in front and a 20-inch one on the emergency exit.
"Apart from colourful snake lights around the floor, the vehicle is also fitted with 350 lights all over 24 volts," Sadaam Musa, one of the crew members, explains.
Unlike other matatus where touts make noise bang to attract passengers, Catalyst has golden yellow gong that produces seductive effects to charm passengers.
"It is also the first matatu with AME rims meant for Mercedes Benz only and an imitation of Prado rims for rear wheels," reveals Kevin Mbugua aka Transporter, the man behind the wheels.
Football lovers will never miss any score thanks to cable TV installed in the matatu to air sports channels and cartoon for children among other channels - all while on transit.
Another hot 'mat' is Adele, which plies the City Centre-Mlolongo route that has a solution to keep you cool on the way with its huge air conditioner in front, not only meant for those seated at the VIP section (yes, there is one) but enough for the rest of the passengers at the back.
Adele, which has been on the road for just a few months, has won loyal customers, mostly ladies, who identify with the Grammy-award winning artiste it is named after.
"Most of our passengers and youthful ladies around Syokimau who have made this vehicle their own and even book space in advance," says Gabriel Mbugua, Adele's driver.
Local music tops the list played for passengers on its 42-inch LED screen in front and another four behind it closer to the passengers seated on the back, with three woofers and twelve mid-range speakers enhancing the sound quality.
Umoja's South-Pole, operating under City Tram, has a water dispenser for passengers.
The twenty-litre bottle of water behind the driver's seat is changed more than five times, depending on the weather, to ensure no one thirsts.
Another hot 'nganya' is the Ngong'-bound Punisher that offers free soda, water and energy drinks.
"We are giving out the free drinks on Tuesdays and Fridays for all passengers headed to Ngong' from the City centre and this will continue just like it happens in flights," one of the managers, Calvin's Odhiambo says.
This means they spend Sh10,400 per week to keep the passenger's love for their matatu unshakable.
Punisher was the first matatu to install a refrigerator that was initially meant for passengers to keep their drinks in but is now used to keep the free drinks.
