A matatu is a van, minivan, bus, or minibus that serves as the mode of
transport in Kenya. Today, the matatu transport is an industry that
has boards, unions, and tailor-made insurance packages available for
matatu owners.
In the past, the Kenyan government had tried to
streamline the industry but in the end, the matatu phenomenon has
retained its unique identity.
The outside of an ordinary matatu will be painted one color
interrupted by the standard yellow line required by the law.
One or
two business advertisement stickers might decorate the inside. You
might also see a sticker reminding you to fasten your seatbelt.
The teeny matatu is a whole other side of matatu you might find
fascinating or irritating depending on where you stand. A teeny
matatu's occupants will be teenagers and those who used to be
teenagers not so long ago [within a decade or two].
The music will
inevitably be very, very loud [except when there is police officer
just up ahead on the roadside]. The music itself will be the very
latest releases. They will play Beanie man, Wyclef Jean, Sean Paul,
Shakira as well as Mariah Carey and Mary J. Blige, just whoever may be
hot at the time. They will also play a lot of local music, too.
In
fact, many Kenyan musicians release their singles on teeny matatus.
You will know a teeny matatu from its bright, bold colors, artistic
decorations and the name, LA Lakers, Sean Paul, Necessary Noise to
illustrate just a few. Fine artists and decorative artists get to
showcase their work on teeny matatus both on the outside and on the
outside.
Some of the Nairobi matatu routes with majority of pimped passenger service vehicles include the following:-
#KAYOLE #UMOJA
#RONGA
#BURU
#GETHOO
#EASTLEIGH
#BANANA
#GACHIE
#KANGEMI
#DANDORA
#KITENGELA
#NGONG
#KAHAWA_WEST
