Wamuzi News Ke
Nairobi’s roads have turned into a lawless arena dominated by a new class of matatus—brash, heavily modified, and shockingly untouchable. Known on the streets as “nganyas,” these rogue public service vehicles are operating with total impunity, openly defying traffic rules, and endangering thousands of lives while authorities appear powerless—or unwilling—to act.
Behind the roaring engines, neon lights, and deafening music systems lies a chilling truth: these matatus are allegedly owned or protected by powerful individuals within the political elite and high-ranking security officials.
Transport stakeholders say this deeply embedded influence has paralyzed oversight institutions like the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and the police.One of the most infamous cases involves a matatu nicknamed “Matrix,” which recently shocked Kenyans after it was filmed dangerously swerving and leaning at a roundabout near the Supreme Court.
The vehicle, which has been operating on city routes without visible registration plates, is just one of many linked to a growing empire of flashy, unregulated public transport vehicles.The matatus “Mood,” “Manifest,” and “Matrix” are widely believed to be under the control of influential figures.
Industry insiders allege that some of these vehicles are linked to associates of President Ruto’s inner circle, raising serious concerns about why enforcement is not just lax—but almost nonexistent.
Despite having no proper inspection certificates, no route licenses, and often operating under fake or missing SACCOs, these nganyas continue to ply busy city routes. Many carry minors, engage in stunts on public roads, and use unlicensed drivers.
Inside, they are transformed into mobile party zones with alcohol, music videos, and suggestive dancing—an open secret that is well known yet completely unchallenged by regulators.
A senior police officer who requested anonymity revealed that officers fear dealing with these matatus because “orders from above” have made them untouchable. “We’ve had cases where officers who attempted to impound such vehicles were transferred the next day,” the officer said.
Transport experts warn that the situation is spiraling out of control. Kenya has recorded thousands of road deaths in recent years, with pedestrian fatalities topping the charts.
Experts say rogue matatus are a major contributor to this trend, as they operate without adherence to basic safety protocols.Recent deadly crashes involving these types of vehicles have included reckless overtaking, overspeeding, and fatal collisions on highways.
Yet, despite the carnage, most of these matatus remain operational, protected by their powerful backers.Matatu industry leaders are now calling for a national crackdown.
The Matatu Owners Association and Motorists Association have urged the government to expose and prosecute the true owners of these rogue vehicles. They argue that the sector cannot be regulated if certain players remain above the law.
Court rulings have in the past supported impounding such vehicles, but implementation is weak. Even when some are temporarily grounded, they often return to the roads in days—sometimes under new names or altered appearances.
What was once considered a vibrant expression of urban culture has now morphed into a dangerous symbol of impunity. With the NTSA sidelined and the police undermined, the streets of Nairobi have been left at the mercy of a cartelized, criminalized public transport network.
Unless firm action is taken soon, experts warn that Kenya is headed toward a full-blown transport crisis—one where the poor die on the roads while the powerful ride away untouched.
