MOOD: George Ruto's New Ksh14M Matatu Featuri…
MOOD: George Ruto’s New Ksh14M Matatu Featuring DJ Deck, Solar Power [PHOTOS]
In a sector where competition for who’s got the best creative skills is cutthroat, George’s latest project has features never seen before in Kenyan nganya culture.
George Kimutai Ruto, the son of President William Ruto, has a liking for heavily pimped matatus known commonly as ‘nganyas’, which is well known in the public domain by now.
Flexing his muscles in the matatu industry, he is known for spending heavily on pimping his Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) to win over the main target audience, Nairobi’s youth.
In a sector where competition for who’s got the best creative skills is cutthroat, George’s latest project has features never seen before in Kenyan nganya culture.
Meet ‘Mood’, whose photos of its customisation surfaced on social media earlier this week, generating a significant buzz ahead of its launch this evening (Friday, July 18) at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), the route that it will ply is still unknown at the time of publishing this story, though reports indicate that it could ply either the Embakasi or Rongai routes.
A pastor prays for the ‘Mood’ matatu ahead of its launch on July 18, 2025. /VIRAL TEA KE
Exterior
According to photos seen by Viral Tea, the nganya boasts one-of-a-kind features, a distinct vibe and unique features, one of which is its own number plate. Yes, a custom number plate claimed to be approved by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).
From the outside, the matatu is completely covered in bold, detailed graffiti, extending even over its windows and windscreen. It features sleek black luxury rims, giving it a sharp, urban vibe.
Black rims that will be fitted on the ‘Mood’ matatu. /STANDARD DIGITAL
Interior
But the real transformation is inside. The matatu is fitted with 26 custom-made bucket seats, each equipped with a cup holder and charging port for passenger convenience. A quick look online reveals that a single seat costs a minimum of, get this, Ksh60,000, and the seats are imported from China.
It is set to become Kenya’s first matatu to feature bucket seats in a 25-seater setup, a reduction from the typical 32-seater format to prioritise comfort and spaciousness. The seats will follow a 2-by-1 layout, with a built-in DJ booth to elevate the passenger experience, whether during daily commutes or private events.
Unlike the typical cramped, stuffy matatu rides, ‘Mood’ offers full air conditioning—a rare luxury in Nairobi’s public transport scene.
The vehicle also boasts a modern push-to-start ignition system, adding both ease and a modern touch to the driving experience.
‘Mood’ runs on a backup solar power system, ensuring constant lighting and uninterrupted entertainment, even during electrical disruptions. However, one of its standout features is a fully installed DJ deck right in the cockpit.
A DJ deck that will be fitted at the front cabin of the ‘Mood’ matatu. /STANDARD DIGITAL
Collins Mokaya, an industry insider, revealed in an earlier interview that “It is more than just for carrying passengers, as DJs can perform in the vehicle. Partying inside a matatu is the new trend.” This is where the extra space comes in, so that passengers, revellers, among others, can dance freely.
Cost
Industry insiders estimate the total project cost at between Ksh13 million and Ksh14 million. The chassis and body reportedly accounted for about Ksh6.8 million. The advanced lighting system alone is said to have cost around Ksh2.5 million
As for the sound system, “If you put the total cost together, it amounts to around KSh 2 million. For instance, the speakers are the Deaf Bonce Apocalypse DB-4518R-4500W, which cost at least $1,400 (KSh 180,000) each,” adds Mokaya.
George Ruto’s growing presence in the matatu business is becoming more visible. In addition to ‘Mood,’ he is linked to other high-profile matatus like ‘Manifest’ (popularly called ‘Moneyfest’), known for their luxury upgrades and heavy financial investment.
However, his fleet hasn’t escaped controversy. Viral clips of ‘Manifest’ performing risky stunts and flouting traffic regulations have attracted attention from the NTSA, leading to the matatu’s previous impoundment over such violations. The matatu has reportedly been rerouted to Embakasi from its previous Rongai route.
Reports also indicate that the matatu might be pulled from regular PSV routes and instead repurposed for private or corporate hire, signalling a significant move away from the conventional public transport model.
Inside the ‘Mood’ matatu by George Ruto. /X.JA SIAYA
In a sector where competition for who’s got the best creative skills is cutthroat, George’s latest project has features never seen before in Kenyan nganya culture.
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George Kimutai Ruto, the son of President William Ruto, has a liking for heavily pimped matatus known commonly as ‘nganyas’, which is well known in the public domain by now.
Flexing his muscles in the matatu industry, he is known for spending heavily on pimping his Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) to win over the main target audience, Nairobi’s youth.
In a sector where competition for who’s got the best creative skills is cutthroat, George’s latest project has features never seen before in Kenyan nganya culture.
Meet ‘Mood’, whose photos of its customisation surfaced on social media earlier this week, generating a significant buzz ahead of its launch this evening (Friday, July 18) at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), the route that it will ply is still unknown at the time of publishing this story, though reports indicate that it could ply either the Embakasi or Rongai routes.
A pastor prays for the ‘Mood’ matatu ahead of its launch on July 18, 2025. /VIRAL TEA KE
Exterior
According to photos seen by Viral Tea, the nganya boasts one-of-a-kind features, a distinct vibe and unique features, one of which is its own number plate. Yes, a custom number plate claimed to be approved by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).
From the outside, the matatu is completely covered in bold, detailed graffiti, extending even over its windows and windscreen. It features sleek black luxury rims, giving it a sharp, urban vibe.
Black rims that will be fitted on the ‘Mood’ matatu. /STANDARD DIGITAL
Interior
But the real transformation is inside. The matatu is fitted with 26 custom-made bucket seats, each equipped with a cup holder and charging port for passenger convenience. A quick look online reveals that a single seat costs a minimum of, get this, Ksh60,000, and the seats are imported from China.
It is set to become Kenya’s first matatu to feature bucket seats in a 25-seater setup, a reduction from the typical 32-seater format to prioritise comfort and spaciousness. The seats will follow a 2-by-1 layout, with a built-in DJ booth to elevate the passenger experience, whether during daily commutes or private events.
Unlike the typical cramped, stuffy matatu rides, ‘Mood’ offers full air conditioning—a rare luxury in Nairobi’s public transport scene.
The vehicle also boasts a modern push-to-start ignition system, adding both ease and a modern touch to the driving experience.
‘Mood’ runs on a backup solar power system, ensuring constant lighting and uninterrupted entertainment, even during electrical disruptions. However, one of its standout features is a fully installed DJ deck right in the cockpit.
A DJ deck that will be fitted at the front cabin of the ‘Mood’ matatu. /STANDARD DIGITAL
Collins Mokaya, an industry insider, revealed in an earlier interview that “It is more than just for carrying passengers, as DJs can perform in the vehicle. Partying inside a matatu is the new trend.” This is where the extra space comes in, so that passengers, revellers, among others, can dance freely.
Cost
Industry insiders estimate the total project cost at between Ksh13 million and Ksh14 million. The chassis and body reportedly accounted for about Ksh6.8 million. The advanced lighting system alone is said to have cost around Ksh2.5 million
As for the sound system, “If you put the total cost together, it amounts to around KSh 2 million. For instance, the speakers are the Deaf Bonce Apocalypse DB-4518R-4500W, which cost at least $1,400 (KSh 180,000) each,” adds Mokaya.
George Ruto’s growing presence in the matatu business is becoming more visible. In addition to ‘Mood,’ he is linked to other high-profile matatus like ‘Manifest’ (popularly called ‘Moneyfest’), known for their luxury upgrades and heavy financial investment.
However, his fleet hasn’t escaped controversy. Viral clips of ‘Manifest’ performing risky stunts and flouting traffic regulations have attracted attention from the NTSA, leading to the matatu’s previous impoundment over such violations. The matatu has reportedly been rerouted to Embakasi from its previous Rongai route.
Reports also indicate that the matatu might be pulled from regular PSV routes and instead repurposed for private or corporate hire, signalling a significant move away from the conventional public transport model.
Inside the ‘Mood’ matatu by George Ruto. /X.JA SIAYA
Reports also indicate that the matatu might be pulled from regular PSV routes and instead repurposed for private or corporate hire, signalling a significant move away from the conventional public transport model.
Inside the ‘Mood’ matatu by George Ruto. /X.JA SIAYA
Reports also indicate that the matatu might be pulled from regular PSV routes and instead repurposed for private or corporate hire, signalling a significant move away from the conventional public transport model.
Inside the ‘Mood’ matatu by George Ruto. /X.JA SIAYA
Reports also indicate that the matatu might be pulled from regular PSV routes and instead repurposed for private or corporate hire, signalling a significant move away from the conventional public transport model.
Inside the ‘Mood’ matatu by George Ruto. /X.JA SIAYA
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