Kenya’s matatu culture took center stage on Saturday evening as it celebrated its top talents, highlighting the sector’s influence on the country’s urban transport system.
Held in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, the fourth edition of the Nganya Awards ceremony showcased matatus, privately owned minibuses used as share taxis, as moving canvases of art as well as platforms for music.
The event featured a showcase of customized vehicles decorated with graffiti, neon lights and powerful sound systems, drawing youth artists, matatu operators, commuters, industry officials and international guests.
Denis Bikambo, an organizer of the ceremony, said that winners emerged from 44 categories that showcased Kenya’s thriving matatu culture and the creativity of the youth.
The awards demonstrated recognition of matatu beyond their role as public transport vehicles, highlighting them as powerful cultural expressions of Kenyan identity, Bikambo added. “The industry represents the aspirations of our youth.”
According to Kenya’s Ministry of Roads and Transport, more than 60 percent of the population relies on matatus operating nationwide.
Albert Karakacha, president of the Matatu Owners Association, said the celebrations encourage higher standards in urban transport while nurturing artistic talent that has made Kenyan matatus globally recognizable.
Christine Wanjiru, a 26-year-old student who attended the event with her friends, said matatus have evolved into entertainment hubs and platforms for self-expression, making them especially appealing to young people. She added that each matatu has its own personality, reflected in its artwork and music, proving that public transport can be both fun and functional.
Sahidatu Zainab Tarawalla, a 28-year-old student from Sierra Leone, expressed admiration for the creativity on display, saying that the blending of culture with transport solutions is something she hopes to see replicated across Africa. Enditem
Source: Xinhua
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