My first artwork was crap – Matatu Graffiti artiste Moha

Those who have been keenly following the matatu culture in Nairobi have come across fancy nganyas with the signature ‘Straight Outa Moha Grafix’ trademark.

But back in 2000, the matatu industry faced stiff competition that saw owners blow cash on their rides to attract city passengers.

Strategically positioned then was Mohammed Ali, popularly known as Moha, who cut a niche in the matatu art industry and built it into a business that has not only produced many artists, but also transformed his life.

Sporting silver-plated teeth, with each plate going for Sh2,000, and a bushy beard, one can mistake him for an American artiste, were it not for his red overalls.

“Actually it is pure talent. I started this in primary school. I used to sketch different vehicles and this really sharpened my skills,” Moha told City Biz.

He says that, “ Arty matatu culture began between 1991 and 2001, when most matatu owners wanted to give their rides an identity. They wanted their matatus to identify with things they liked, such as songs, artistes and other celebrities like sportsmen and women.”

After clearing his studies, Moha visited different garages and car washes to try out his artistic skills.

He reveals that his first artwork was not impressive but he did not give up.

“I started with Mombasa buses in 2002 but my breakthrough came when I painted a Nissan matatu dubbed Ganja Farmer at a garage in Buruburu in 2004. My job spoke for itself and I began getting referrals from matatu owners,” Moha said, adding that, “Then it was not about money, but expressing my art and love for vehicles as I saved to open my own garage.”

Around 2005 after saving Sh150,000, Moha managed to secure a place in Eastleigh’s Sun City area, where he is based to date.

At his garage a Nissan matatu artwork goes for Sh60,000 and pimping up a bus will cost Sh200,000.

Currently, Moha Graphics has employed 20 young men to assist with small duties before Moha starts working on the matatus.

“I do a different kind of art that involves the use of paint and air brush to achieve various designs. It’s nothing like the latest technology that involves use of stickers and metallic materials,” explains Moha, who plays basketball and rides a superbike when not busy in the garage.

He points out that the advent of new technology in the art industry has ruined business for upcoming artists and could kill creativity, “because they do the same thing all the time. Instead of designing a name for instance, they either use a sticker of designed metal grills.”

Apart from matatu artwork, Moha’s garage also repairs vehicles, including panel beating, body design, interior and exterior works modification as well as mechanical and electrical repairs.

Moha says that, “For the love of my job, I do designs and draw on bicycles for free, but motorcycles, small cars, Nissan matatus and buses are paid for. Its not a predictable business because sometimes we can do around five matatus in a day or more than 10 saloon cars in month.”

He reveals that the directive to rid matatus of graffiti hit the business hard. “When the government issued the directive in 2005, the business suffered, but I’m happy that the matatu culture is vibrant once more,” he said.